Eastertide
July 3, 2015
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. –2 Corinthians 12:8-10
What does it mean power is made perfect in weakness? I can unpack this phrase in more than one way. Weakness implies a lack of strength to the point of no strength left at all, but that is never the case really is it? I am a bit claustrophobic. Several years ago I was having some medical tests run and the first preparatory step was to strap me done to a gurney on which I would be wheeled to the machine where I had to be perfectly still. Immediately after attaching the straps the assistant getting me ready was called to help someone in another room. The minute she walked out of the area, my claustrophobia kicked in. I even called out but there was no one to hear. I had to turn inward, through prayer, and find the inner strength to be at peace and did. It actually surprised me.
Christ crucified was a different matter. Jesus was hanging on a cross, one of the cruelest forms of execution, and he did cry out not just in physical pain, but also in the stress of feeling alone. Death was the reality he faced and the reality came. Christ crucified was Paul’s role model. Christ crucified, who died, was the one who met Paul, then Saul, on the road to Damascus and called him to his ministry. The power of Christ crucified was Paul’s sustaining grace in all the trials he faced even unto death.
My heart still goes out to those nine people killed in Charleston during Bible study. Of this I am sure, Christ crucified was standing in the midst of them throughout the whole ordeal and Christ crucified will make their deaths mean something through those of us left to carry on.
Prayer: Lord, let your strength be in us and make our weakness stronger than evil. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.