Sermon Snippet –The Paradox of Power – Part V
INTRODUCTION – We return to the paradoxical principle of II Corinthians 12:10b: “When I am weak, then am I strong.” Clearly, worldly positional, physical, and psychological powers to control do not impress God. He is interested in the spiritual and eternal strength that He makes available to us. Over the last four weeks, we have considered seven Biblical examples of this abiding principle. Today, let us focus on the greatest example of all – Jesus Christ, God the Son.
1. JESUS’ FAMILY THOUGHT THAT HE WAS CRAZY
Mark 3:21 records, “And when His friends [literally, “His family”] heard of it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, ‘He is beside Himself’ [literally, “He is out of His mind”].” We understand their concern and even commend their attempt at care. Jesus was extraordinarily busy (verse 20), and His family reasonably wondered how long anyone could hold up under such an intense schedule. However, their lack of comprehension of His Messiahship is difficult to fathom, and their comment was completely inaccurate and hurtful. Jesus endured this unkindness from His family, pressed on, and continued to include them in His hectic life. Later, they came to appreciate the type of power that He represented daily. He was not weak in mind. His strength was distinctive.
2. JESUS’ OPPONENTS WERE VICIOUSLY CRITICAL
Mark 3:22 reveals the illogic of the religious leaders. Because they could not refute Jesus’ claims to be the Messiah, they inexplicably accused Him of being demon-possessed. His calm and reasoned response (verses 21-26) was and is unanswerable. Still, Jesus’ critics continued in their irrational attacks on Him. How hard their hearts had become! Jesus, though, persisted in His ministry to all people, including these deranged critics. It is compelling that at least some Pharisees and religious leaders eventually entered into a saving relationship with Jesus (including Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathaea, Paul, and “a great company of the priests” – Acts 6:7). Jesus was not weak in character. Such is real strength.
3. JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED
The undeniable historical fact of the crucifixion of Jesus best illustrates the principle of II Corinthians 12:10b. The bad guys killed the Good Guy, exercising raw, destructive power. Criticism hurts, but it does not hurt as much as crucifixion. On the Cross, Jesus exhibited strength in weakness. He chose the exact moment of His death (Matthew 27:50), producing immediate positive impacts, including upon a Roman centurion (verses 51-54). Jesus defeated death even before He rose from the tomb the third day, for He was in complete control. He was not weak on the Cross, for in His spirit this is strength that saves eternally.
CONCLUSION – Each one of us needs to recognize our weakness – really, our absolute inability – in regards to salvation. We need the strength of the Savior. Let us trust in Him alone, and let us now remember Him in the Communion service.