"The Way of Weakness"

To save those who wrongly believe in a strength and independence that does not actually exist, the almighty God entered the world in the garb of weakness.

"Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12).

In Eden, Adam and Eve embraced the lie that "ye shall be as gods" (Genesis 3:5). Woven into the flesh of humanity thereafter is the delusion that we possess both the right and the capacity to make our own way in life. From conception, we exalt our own will and ability as the guiding lights whereby we seek to navigate the course of our own existence. Apart from Christ, the end result is futility and frustration because even the most seemingly successful among us still face the grave that "gods" seemingly should never have to experience. "If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:23).

In Bethlehem, the Lord Jesus Christ entered the world to embrace the will and power of His Father. "Not My will, but Thine be done... I can of Mine own self do nothing... the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works" (Luke 22:42; John 5:30; 14:10). Our Divine Savior condescended to become the most human of men. He was born as a helpless and needy infant. He lived most of His life in obscurity, to the degree that His own brethren did not know who He was (John 7:5). He led His disciples as a servant. He coerced no one to believe His words and teachings. He was crucified through weakness" (II Corinthians 13:4). He was resurrected without pomp and circumstance. And His Gospel goes forth most effectively not in the limelight, but along the everyday paths of common people living their lives in a manner that quietly points others to the Savior - "This is the way; walk ye in it" (Isaiah 30:21).

Only God would have devised and purposed this way of saving humanity from its delusion of independence and strength by enrobing Himself in our actual garb of weakness. We can only imagine the sacrifice of such an act of love that led to a manger and all the meekness and humility that would follow. As our Lord walks in us, we can expect a similar path whereupon countless opportunities to trust and submit rather than exalt ourselves will lie before us. Thereby we discover true strength - "Be strong in the power of His might" - and true peace of heart found only in the humbling of our hearts - "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Ephesians 6:10; Matthew 11:29). This was our Lord's way, and it is now our way - the way of a seeming weakness that is actually the very power of God.

"The weakness of God is stronger than men."

(I Corinthians 1:25)