1.This week, we observed how Jesus fed the five thousand, healed a man born blind, and then raised Lazarus from the dead. In each case, Jesus provided strong evidence of His divinity. Yet, these miracles, as astounding as they were, caused division. Some responded with faith, while others with doubt. What does this teach us about the fact that people can reject God even in the face of strong evidence?

This week, we saw how Jesus revealed His divinity through three impressive miracles—the Feeding of the Five Thousand, the Healing of the Blind Man, and the Raising of Lazarus. These miracles served as clear evidence of His divine power and authority. Nevertheless, they did not lead everyone to faith. Some reacted with joy and belief, while others responded with doubt, rejection, and even hostility.

These reactions reveal a profound truth: even in the presence of undeniable evidence, people can reject God. It highlights that faith is not solely a matter of evidence but also depends on the heart’s attitude and willingness to open up to God’s truth. Often, it is pride, preconceived notions, or clinging to traditions and power structures that prevent people from recognizing God’s work.

This phenomenon explains why some saw Jesus’ signs yet did not believe in Him—the Pharisees, despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles, clung to their rejection. It shows us that faith is more than a rational decision; it requires humility, openness, and the willingness to question our own beliefs to accept God’s truth.

For us, this means we should continually ask ourselves whether we are open to seeing God’s work in our lives or if we remain spiritually blind due to pride or fear, preventing us from embracing His truth.

2.These accounts all point to Christ as the divine Son of God. Why is His divinity crucial for believing in Jesus as the Redeemer?

The divinity of Jesus is central to our belief in Him as the Redeemer, and the accounts of His miracles—such as the Feeding of the Five Thousand, the Healing of the Blind Man, and the Raising of Lazarus—emphasize His divine nature. This divinity is crucial for the Christian faith in Jesus as the Redeemer for several reasons:

1. Only God Can Forgive Sins: The Bible teaches that only God has the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:7). As the divine Son of God, Jesus possesses the authority to release us from our sins. If Jesus were merely human, He would lack the power to redeem us from sin. His divinity grants Him the ability to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humanity.

2. His Sacrifice Has Infinite Value: Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross would be incomplete without His divinity. As the divine Son of God, His death holds infinite value, making it sufficient to bear the punishment for the sins of the entire world. A purely human sacrifice could never fully atone for humanity’s sin. Because Jesus is God, His sacrifice offers complete and eternal redemption.

3. Overcoming Death and the Devil: Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered death, demonstrating His authority over life and death (John 11:25). This power can only belong to a divine being. If Jesus were not divine, He would lack the ability to defeat death and grant eternal life to believers. As the divine Redeemer, He offers not only forgiveness of sins but also the hope of life after death.

4. God’s Nearness to Humanity: Jesus’ divinity means that God became man to redeem us (John 1:14). This shows us that God loves us so much that He humbled Himself to experience our pain, suffering, and death. His divinity assures us that the Redeemer is not distant but intimately understands our human nature and is close to us in every aspect of life.

5. Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecies: Jesus’ divinity fulfills Old Testament prophecies that reveal the Messiah as God. If Jesus were not divine, He could not fulfill the many prophecies that describe Him as “Immanuel”—“God with us” (Isaiah 7:14). His divinity is the fulfillment of the promise that God Himself would come to save His people.

Conclusion:

The divinity of Jesus is fundamental to our belief in Him as the Redeemer. Without His divine nature, Jesus could not forgive sins, overcome death, provide the perfect sacrifice for humanity’s sins, or fulfill the prophetic promises of the Messiah. Only because Jesus is truly God can we trust in His redemption and have hope for eternal life.

3.Read 1 Corinthians 1:26–29. In what ways do we see the same principle at work in the 21st century? What constitutes the “foolishness” that Christians believe, and what the “wise men of the world” ridicule and reject? What do we believe that also makes the “wise” ashamed?

In 1 Corinthians 1:26–29, Paul describes how God often chooses the “foolish” and “weak” in the world to shame the “strong” and “wise.” This was true in biblical times and remains evident in the 21st century. In a world that often values power, knowledge, and worldly success, the Christian faith and belief in Jesus Christ are frequently viewed as foolish.

Principle in the 21st Century:

Today, numerous areas demonstrate how the world mocks or rejects the Christian faith. Some of these include:

1. Belief in the Resurrection and Eternal Life: Many people in the modern, scientifically oriented world view the belief in Jesus’ resurrection and eternal life as naive or irrational. The idea that death is not the end and that Jesus actually rose from the dead is often dismissed as “foolish.” However, this is the central belief of Christians—it provides hope that transcends the purely material and visible, making the “wise” ashamed because it reveals God’s power over death, something human wisdom cannot explain.

2. Forgiveness and Love for Enemies: In a world that often emphasizes revenge, retribution, and self-assertion, the Christian teaching of forgiveness and love for enemies can appear weak or even foolish. It is often seen as unwise to forgive those who have wronged us or to love our enemies instead of fighting against them. Yet, these values are central to the Christian faith as they reflect God’s love and grace. For Christians, forgiveness is a divine power stronger than hate and conflict.

3. Humility and Weakness: The modern world frequently values strength, self-assertion, and success. However, the Gospel teaches that God chooses the humble and the weak to reveal His power. The principle that “the last will be first” and that “God exalts the humble but thwarts the proud” (Matthew 19:30; Luke 14:11) is often mocked in many societal circles. Yet, God repeatedly shows that true greatness lies in humility and that He reveals His strength through the weak.

4. Faith Over Reason: For many “wise men of the world,” faith in God and reliance on faith beyond human reason is seen as foolish. The belief that there is a supernatural power guiding our lives stands in contrast to secular thinking based solely on logic, reason, and science. However, Christians believe that faith in God, the Creator and Redeemer, is a deeper truth that surpasses human understanding.

What Makes the “Wise” Ashamed?

God reveals His power and wisdom through what the world considers weak or foolish. The resurrection, humility, forgiveness, and faith in the unseen all demonstrate that human wisdom is limited. God’s ways surpass our understanding, and the Gospel shows that true wisdom lies in trusting God and accepting His grace, regardless of where it comes from.

Conclusion:

The principle Paul describes remains applicable today. What the world deems foolish—the belief in the resurrection, forgiveness, humility, and God’s power—is used by God to reveal His truth. This serves as a reminder that God’s wisdom exceeds human wisdom and that we can trust in His ways, even when they are not understood or appreciated by the world.

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