Sermon Snippet –The Paradox of Power – Part II
INTRODUCTION – We return to Paul’s paradoxical statement of II Corinthians 12:10b: “When I am weak, then am I strong.” He found that his chronic physical affliction kept his pride in abeyance such that he could more effectively minister to others the Gospel message of God’s grace. This Biblical principle of spiritual strength through challenging circumstances applies to all Christians. Today, let us briefly consider the experiences of the Apostle John.
1. JOHN THOUGHT THAT HE KNEW WHAT POWER WAS
John was a cousin to Jesus (comparing Matthew 27:56, Mark 15:40, and John 19:25) and the younger brother of James (we believe that he was younger because his name is listed second, except once, unless I overlooked a verse, in Luke 9:28). He was swept up in the initial popularity of John the Baptist (John 1:35-39) and then readily followed Jesus. Like many of that time, John was anticipating that the Messiah would crush His opposition. He and his brother were called “Boanerges, which is, ‘The sons of thunder’” (Mark 3:17), indicating their forceful personalities. Thus, it is no surprise that they offered to call down fire from heaven against the opponents of Jesus. (Luke 9:51-56). Similarly, it is unsurprising that Aunt Salome asked Jesus to enthrone her sons in heaven (Matthew 20:20-24). Jesus’ responses to these two events were instrumental in John’s growing awareness of his limitations and of his Lord’s strength.
2. JOHN UNDOUBTEDLY WANTED TO SEE GOD’S MIRACULOUS POWER IN HIS BROTHER’S LIFE
Acts 12 records the memorable account of Peter’s miraculous deliverance from prison and certain execution. What precedes this release, though, is the grisly death of James (verses 1-2). Perhaps some of you recall a sermon I preached entitled “What about James?” (my focus then was on our difficulty in understanding God’s ways due to our limited knowledge and perspective). John outlived his brother by some sixty years. We do not know if he suffered from what is today called survivor’s guilt. We do know that he missed James as a beloved brother and as a loyal co-laborer for the Lord. In fact, John outlived all of the disciples. His own life was challenging through those decades. We have no Biblical record that he received any special insight into his brother’s martyrdom. The Savior’s seeming silence on this specific issue mirrors the confusion that many (perhaps all) of God’s people experience.
3. JOHN RECEIVED A PARTICULAR BLESSING FROM GOD AT THE END OF HIS LONG LIFE
The paradox of II Corinthians 12:10b was evident throughout his many years of effective service. Perhaps the best example of this truth is found in Revelation 1:9-11. Isolated and imprisoned because of his powerful preaching (“the testimony of Jesus Christ”), John is granted this panorama of the future, a remarkably detailed picture of heaven, and numerous theological insights into the nature of the Savior. He was likely at least ninety years old, with the increasing physical ailments and limitations that accompany advancing age. As previously stated, he was also the last of his generation. This “Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1) was not a personal message; it was to be disseminated to the believers at that time and ultimately to all believers as the Bible was compiled. Still, at a time of physical weakness and loneliness, John was blessed to be the recipient of these words from the Savior, “to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16b). John knew by experience the full force of the paradox of power: “When I am weak, then am I strong.”
CONCLUSION – With Jesus, there is always more. In Revelation 6:9-11, John sees the martyrs in heaven. This specific scene was divine confirmation that his martyred brother was and is with the Savior forevermore. How good God is! What encouragement to this elderly apostle! May each one of us today draw deep and rich comfort from the fact that Jesus is similarly strengthening us in our weakness.