These are true statements: From our epistle lesson today; “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Or from Isaiah, Job, and elsewhere from St. Paul: “who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?”

Even though mankind glories in his own wisdom. Whether it be in so-called scientific breakthroughs, or social upheaval and change where everyone is clamoring to “be on the right side of history”, or people glory in the triumph of monuments and heroic accomplishments.

For example, this past week was the anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11 mission to the moon and 56 years ago this very evening at 7:56 local time, Neil Armstrong took his first step upon the surface of the moon. Yet, as awesome an accomplishment as that was, and as we may ponder the enormous effort it took to put together after years of experimentation, training, teams of military and civilians working together, as awesome as all that was: it is good to remember to ask: who made the moon in the first place? Who established it in the sky, who set it at an ideal distance from earth? Or the sun, or all the stars, and continues to make them travel a very predictable path? Who created the myriad numbers of galaxies? Let us marvel at Him. For indeed going to the moon was truly only a small step in the grand scope of the universe.

There is order and form in creation, not chaos as a whole. Yet within it, is evidence of the “foolishness of God” that defies even “science” and its limited hypotheses. In nature, we can look at the bumble bees and see that scientifically, aerodynamically, they have no business being able to fly… yet they do.

God made the duck-billed platypus which defies even the reason of the evolutionists. As it has properties of both a bird and a mammal, and it even has a venomous spur. Why? Why did God create them to become what they are? Why did He create those stars and innumerable planets and galaxies? Why did He create so many varieties of sea creatures, plants, and animals on this small planet?

So that we can marvel at His creativity, for one thing. To show that our God does not always do what we humans expect Him to do. To show that what we think is wise or practical is not always truly wise nor practical: that what we think is God’s foolishness is more wise than the wisdom of any man or woman of any age, and His knowledge, creativity, and power go well beyond our comprehension and His grace abounds even beyond our need.

We heard it at work in our Gospel lesson this morning. Simon and the other fisherman had been out all night and hadn’t caught any fish, yet after preaching, Jesus told them to “go out and let down their nets for a catch.”

This seemed like utter nonsense to Peter: wrong time of day, wrong part of the Lake, we already tried that…whatever. Simon gives his weak protest, but He does it anyway. Why does he?

Maybe he thought: let’s just humor him and let him see for himself, or maybe he did it because he wanted to show Jesus what a good disciple he could be, or perhaps, he had faith in Jesus. After all, Jesus had just gotten done teaching the people while in the boat with the fishermen.

Whatever the case, it seemed like foolishness, and yet, what happened? A catch of fish so large, so massive, that it was more than the nets could bear, the nets were breaking, the boats filled, and the boats began to sink under the weight of fish.

Then Simon fell down and said: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
“The foolishness of God is wiser than men.” Jesus could have said, “told you so”. He does chastise the disciples for unbelief later in His ministry, but not here. Instead He comforted them and said: “Do not be afraid”.

Have you ever thought: “if only I could be God for a moment, I would do this or that?” Then again maybe after that thought, you realized what you just said and follow up with, “maybe it’s a good thing I am not God”.
Yes, it is a good thing that God is not like you or me. If He were, He would constantly be changing His mind based on His mood. Or He would just not care what anyone does or what happens to anyone else because He would be too busy enjoying Himself. Or He would burn with His wrath and destroy everybody, again, and again.
That’s quite often how we live our lives. That is why the cross is such a stumbling block, a scandal to the Jews, and foolishness to the Gentiles.

To the Jews, meaning to those like the Pharisees or anyone who thinks that they can be justified before God by their works of the Law, the cross is a scandal. No, God, but I should be saved by my works. If God sent His Son to die for sin, that isn’t fair because I don’t have any sin, or at least I don’t have as many sins as that person or that person, and so on. Or surely, “I can contribute something”, we think, or “I can take credit for something”.
No, the reality is that according to the Law, we have all sinned. We are all like fish stuck in the sea, unwilling and unable to get into the boat of the Church unless we are compelled and lifted up by an outside force. What we deserve according to the Law is damnation and destruction. But God lowers Himself to where we are, and gives up Himself at the cross. Dying for our sin, to save sinners who are unworthy according to the Law to be saved.

To the Greeks or all those who would live by the philosophies of this world, the cross doesn’t make any sense for that very reason. Why would God, if He were God, want to be a human, and why does He care so much, doesn’t He have something better to do than suffer and die? Or if He did die for my sin, and He is “loving” why not do whatever I want and never be changed?
These thoughts betray the fact that we cannot, no human can fathom, can understand the great love of God. He desires not our eternal destruction by fire and brimstone, but He also desires not our mortal destruction by selfish wastefulness, by bitterness, wrath, apathy, and anarchy in this life.

When we fully understand the greatness of God in His awesome power: When we truly survey the wondrous cross: When we truly gaze upon Jesus Christ dying upon the cross for us, that God would love us so much, we truly scarce can take it in. And we declare our unworthiness with Simon, but in hope we cling to the cross repentant and sorrowful. And so repent, and fall on your knees before Christ.
But Jesus then answers that hope, stills your fear and says “Do not be afraid”. Even if you cannot fully understand it, Jesus Christ died for your sins. Though you may think that you are unworthy or unable to be changed and forgiven, through the Ministry of His Word and Sacraments your weakness is replaced with His strength: the foolishness of your sin and mine is replaced with the Wisdom of His Word. The Holy Spirit uses His Word this day even as He did at your baptism as a net, to draw you out, to bring you into the boat of the Church and give you life by faith in Him. He forgives your sins. Do not be afraid.

Instead, glory in His cross. Receive the gifts which come from His cross this day in His body and blood. This is Christ coming and giving you the power of God and the wisdom of God in Himself under the forms of bread and wine. This is God doing the unthinkable, that which defies reason but can only be received rightly by faith for forgiveness and life.

Then by His Grace you are awestruck as Peter was. As you grow in faith and amazement at the gift of His grace at the mystery of God joining Himself to human flesh to save you and me, sinners, you will desire to study His Word and receive more and more His gifts. By His Holy Spirit, you realize more and more His love for you and your neighbor. And then you do not give up on casting out the Word and speaking to your neighbor, loving them, serving them. You do not know what God is working in them through you or in you. In life you may not understand what God has in store for you or is doing right now. But in everything and at every time, in joy or sorrow, trial or need remember that we cannot know the mind of God or how He is working. Know, however, that He desires your good and your salvation. That He can and will use you in your weakness and in His strength. Turn then in prayer and faith, use every opportunity as an opportunity to grow in Christ. Come to the cross again, receive from Him forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation as He comes to you in His Word and His body and blood. You are never left forsaken. His still small voice thunders from the cross, “Father, forgive them”. And now to you: Do not be afraid. Your Father has designed for your salvation, He has caught you by His grace in Christ Jesus, and He will hold you and keep you for eternal life by the unbreakable net of His proclaimed Word of Jesus Christ crucified and raised for you. Amen.

Pr. Aaron Kangas