The Power of Weakness: Embracing Vulnerability as Strength

Maybe you are still not convinced that weaknesses are something to be proud of instead of something to hide. If so, consider the apostle Paul’s second example:

“For he (Jesus) was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.”

 Some in the Corinthian church were comparing the apostle Paul to others who claimed apostleship. Paul had hoped to visit the Corinthians a couple of times and hadn’t been able to get to them as quickly as they had hoped. In his absence and with the presence of some faith leaders who were preaching a more agreeable message, the Corinthians were questioning his authenticity. 

Paul addressed the challenge of his spiritual authority by saying this:

“Since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.”

Paul’s words to the Corinthians are worth noting in our current moment. Sadly, we often judge a leader’s abilities by how strong and confidently they present themselves. Lately, some Christians seem to think that the tougher one talks, the better leader they will be. What Paul points out is that Jesus was quite comfortable being humble, even to the point of allowing others to see his human side or weakness.

Paul’s words suggest that weakness and strength can coexist. Jesus did surrender to the guards in the garden. Jesus did literally lay down his life on a Roman cross. He could have called down angels, but he chose to surrender himself to beatings, mockery, and crucifixion. But the great triumph is ours because by the power of God, Jesus rose from the dead!

Paul’s lesson is that when we take on the mind and heart of Jesus, we will look less like the world and more like Jesus. When we take the servant approach to dealing with others and when we acknowledge our limitations and weaknesses, the same power of God works in and through us because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

This lesson in the last chapter of 2 Corinthians is consistent with what Paul said back in chapter four: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” It doesn’t appear that Jesus ever intended us to be super men or super women with arms and legs of steel. Jesus calls us to own our weaknesses so that his power might be fully at work in us. The last time I checked, God’s power is significantly greater than anything in this world.

Father, today we surrender ourselves fully to you. Filled with your Holy Spirit, we ask that you transform our weaknesses so that your glory would be evident to others as you work in us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 13:3-4, 11, 2 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 1:19-22 ESV

Photo by Earl Wilcox on Unsplash
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