"Transforming Weakness into Strength"2 Corinthians 13:4a
For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power.
Thoughts for Today:In our passage today, Paul begins his comparison of the physical weakness people saw in him to the perception that Christ was also weak when He was crucified. The truth is that Jesus wasn't weak -- He possessed both the strength to carry the sin of the world with Him to His death, and power of God in His resurrection.
This was never more evident than in the Garden of Gethsemane (at the time of His arrest), when Jesus said to Peter and the other disciples who were prepared to defend His life (Matthew 26:52-54): "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" In a similar way, those who believed Paul to be weak would also be proven wrong.
Questions to Ponder:So many Christians point to the suffering of Jesus for the sin of the world, and then add as an afterthought His resurrection. Do you personally know the power of the resurrection? The divinity of Christ was revealed in His victory over sin and death. Have you claimed this in your own life?
For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power.
Thoughts for Today:In our passage today, Paul begins his comparison of the physical weakness people saw in him to the perception that Christ was also weak when He was crucified. The truth is that Jesus wasn't weak -- He possessed both the strength to carry the sin of the world with Him to His death, and power of God in His resurrection.
This was never more evident than in the Garden of Gethsemane (at the time of His arrest), when Jesus said to Peter and the other disciples who were prepared to defend His life (Matthew 26:52-54): "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" In a similar way, those who believed Paul to be weak would also be proven wrong.
Questions to Ponder:So many Christians point to the suffering of Jesus for the sin of the world, and then add as an afterthought His resurrection. Do you personally know the power of the resurrection? The divinity of Christ was revealed in His victory over sin and death. Have you claimed this in your own life?
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