Longing for the Foolish Jesus
Psalm 12:1-8
In Psalm 12, David speaks about the need for discernment to rightly understand this world where evil prevails. He urges us not to forget that a spiritual battle is ongoing against the world’s trends and the evil spirits that hold power in the air.
To this end, he strongly encourages us to hold fast to God’s word. He says that this word is “pure, like silver refined in a crucible seven times,” and that it will protect us and preserve us forever.
“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a crucible seven times. The Lord will keep them safe and will preserve them from this generation forever.”
(Psalm 12:6-7)
The Word removes impurities from within us, like a crucible removing dross. It removes all the impurities within us—the deceit and lies—even though we attend church and believe in Jesus.
And like “refined silver,” it “purifies” our souls. This is because God’s word is pure and honest. In a world full of falsehood, it allows us to live like “the foolish Jesus.”
There was a man who had the nickname “Foolish Jesus.” He was Dr. Ahn Soo-hyun, the “young foolish doctor.” Following God’s word, he valued his patients’ lives as much as his own, not only healing their bodies but also caring for their hearts.
During the medical reform crisis, despite being ostracized and criticized by his fellow doctors, he chose his patients over striking, and stayed at the hospital. He even paid for the medical tests of an elderly Korean-Chinese man who couldn’t afford them. He always carried books and worship tapes with him, and he gave books and worship tapes to anyone he thought needed them – church juniors, hospital colleagues, patients, and even the patients’ families.
But that wasn’t all he gave. At night, he would go around the hospital, quietly praying with his patients. He would visit cancer patients who were feeling hopeless and discouraged, and keep them company.
He shared the gospel with a patient with terminal liver cancer and prayed the prayer of acceptance with him. He would quietly shed tears with the patient as he heard the patient say “Amen.”
After enlisting as a military doctor in 2003, he became a friend to the soldiers. He visited the military prison and gave books to each of the inmates. Although his position as a military doctor meant he didn’t have to participate in things like combat training, he marched with the soldiers and spent time with them.
Then, an unexpected illness struck him. After suddenly collapsing from hemorrhagic fever, he passed away on January 5, 2006, about a month later. He was only thirty-three years old.
Some called him a “fool.” This reflected their frustration and regret at his inability to look out for himself. Over 4,000 mourners visited his funeral. The woman who ran the hospital’s convenience store, the shoe shiner – everyone felt indebted to him for his love.
Everyone missed that “foolish Jesus.” We, too, are moved by his purity. We shed tears, experiencing a kind of vicarious satisfaction. We also feel regret that we are not like him. What is the difference?
A loving person is always a debtor. They can never be a creditor. Even when giving, they always feel like they are indebted. That’s why we say, “Thank you for allowing us to love.” We are happy “foolish Jesuses” because of the people who have accepted that love.
When we constantly stand before God’s word and are moved by the Holy Spirit to obey, God enables us to live the life of a “foolish Jesus.” God is still looking for such “foolish Jesuses” today—people who desire to become fools for Jesus.
O God the Father,
May we always stand before Your word, be moved by the Holy Spirit,
and live according to Your word and obey You.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
