The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Weakness of God"
"The weakness of God is stronger than men" (I Corinthians 1:25).
Weakness can be defined as the inability to act, function, or perform. This would seem impossible in reference to the almighty God so strong that "there is nothing too hard" for Him (Jeremiah 32:17).
The incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, made possible the experience of weakness in God. In order to redeem us from our sins and restore a fallen creation, the Savior "was made in the likeness of men," or rather, made in a manner that seemed to put Him at a severe disadvantage in confronting God's enemies (Philippians 2:7). From an inauspicious birth, to a life mostly lived in obscurity, to a ministry that placed Him in constant jeopardy, to a physical experience that included tiredness, hunger, thirst, and ultimately, the cross, the Son of God knew weakness as the son of man.
"He was crucified through weakness" (II Corinthians 13:4).
The hands of strong men impaled an already battered, weakened Christ to a cross that gave every appearance to still all activity. Nothing, however, could have been further from the truth. Indeed, no greater act of God has ever occurred, or ever will occur, than the Lord Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. With hands and feet nailed thereupon, Christ's actions accomplished all that makes possible God's merciful redemption of creation rather than its destruction.
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself" (II Corinthians 5:19).
Men and devils can bluster. They can use breath and strength given by God to deny Him, and even nail His Son to a cross (Acts 17:25). At the end of the conflict, however, an earthly tomb will be empty and a Heavenly throne occupied. Weakness will have won. Humility will have triumphed. And the message will go forth forevermore: "the weakness of God is stronger than men." Yes, place our Lord at the greatest disadvantage, whether in a manger, a wilderness, or a cross. The result will always be the same… "Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:11). He lived in such a manner long ago during His earthly lifetime, and He now lives in the same manner in us as the power of God flows as a mighty river not in our strength, but in our weakness.
They believed it was over.
They believed He was done.
But the truth they could not fathom,
this was the reason He had come.
And the tomb is now empty,
the throne above occupied.
Salvation is freely given,
and Jesus Christ is Lord.
"My strength is made perfect in weakness."
(II Corinthians 12:9)
"Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."
(John 10:17-18)
Weekly Memory Verse
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
(Psalm 23:6)
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