Verse 18-19: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.””
Amanda Marie McCoy, a scientist in the employ of billionaire industrialist Lex Luthor, had collated all the data she could on Superman and his friends and acquaintances. Luthor was trying to find out more about the newly revealed Man of Steel. McCoy was explaining to Luthor how there was an incredible amount of connections between Clark Kent and Superman; Luthor wanted to know what that relationship was. Feeding the information into Lexcorp’s computer system, the result appeared on the monitor: “Clark Kent is Superman”.
McCoy was astounded, but found the conclusion logical. Lex, however, didn’t share her reaction:
“Logical. Is it? To a machine perhaps. Yes…A soulless machine might make that deduction. But not Lex Luthor! I know better! I know that no man with the power of Superman would ever pretend to be a mere human! Such power is to be constantly exploited. Such power is to be used!!”
McCoy tried to reason the data’s reliability, but Lex wouldn’t hear it. He angrily ordered her to remove the data from his computers, and then remove herself from his employ. His last words of that issue are interesting: “I have no place in my organization for people who cannot see the obvious!”
(The above was found in the last pages of Superman Vol. 2, issue 2, by DC Comics. John Byrne was writing this new revamp of the Man of Steel in the 1980’s. I reference the comic page image at https://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/05/21/lex-luthors-big-surprise-from-forever-evil-7-spoilers/)
This to me, is a good parallel to today’s verse from Paul. He quotes Is 29:14 in relaying to the Corinthian church how the so-called religious leaders and “wise” people did not understand the message of the cross and what Jesus Christ did to redeem us. They didn’t want to hear it either; it was foolish to them! Just like arrogant Lex Luthor, who couldn’t understand that Clark Kent (raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent and instilled with their values) was Superman and used his powers to help people. To Luthor’s smug wisdom, it wouldn’t dawn on him to acknowledge that those with power should help others. Just like the religious leaders of Paul’s day…they couldn’t believe Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, and would pay our sin debt through His death on the cross and His resurrection. To those who believe and are saved, it truly is the power of God!
Something to think about.
Combing The Word 