Defenseless Power

In a prophecy pointing to Jesus’ suffering death hundreds of years before Jesus was crucified, Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 53:2-3: “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.  He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.  He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” 

This is a picture of Jesus on the cross.  There is nothing about this picture that would draw people to Jesus or his way of life.  In fact, it is just the opposite.  The scene is gruesome, bloody, and repulsive.  If this is the way of Jesus, many conclude they want nothing to do with Jesus.  This man dying on a cross is hardly a sign of strength.  This is not a man of victory over worldly powers.  This is not a man who’s King over a Kingdom.  But then, after three days dead, Jesus arose.  Jesus proved us wrong.

It’s a strange thing – this paradoxical power of the cross.  An object of torture and death has become a symbol of life and resurrection for believers.  Who would have thought?  Even as Jesus preached selfless service, altruistic love, and the giving of oneself, disciples could not grasp the meaning of the cross.  Humility, meekness, patience, and trust in God’s plan.  These are the virtues of a Christ-follower.  They fly in the face of worldly values and those striving for political power today.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”  This is the subject of Sunday’s study of Beatitude #3.  What does it mean?  Who are the meek?  How will they inherit the earth?  Join us Sunday as we wrestle with this difficult statement of Jesus and uncover the heart of Jesus’ teaching and example on the cross.  Worship begins at 10:00 AM.  All are welcome.  Newcomers are expected.  Join your friends at Grace Church for a message that will challenge everything the world teaches.