Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5)
What is real strength? I have known some incredibly strong people who would not be considered as such, at least by physical appearance. The heart patient. The grandmother who took care of her troubled grandchildren. The teen who stood up for those being bullied. Strength comes not from an ability to dominate, but from a willingness to subjugate their own ego, time, and fear for the benefit of others.
A religion professor of mine from college, former Bishop of North Carolina Dr. Michael McDaniel, once said this in my Reformation class: God's power is seen primarily in the powerlessness of Jesus on the Cross. This paradox is at the heart of Jesus' great reversal, i.e. the first shall be last, the last shall be first.
Strength from God's perspective is seen in a willingness to appear meek, to serve, to offer oneself on behalf of others. This is where we find true power. This is why, after Peter rebukes him for saying he must be crucified, Jesus says "you have set your mind, not on divine things, but on human things." To Peter, this was loss, this was weak, this was meekness. To Jesus, it was the selfless, life-giving act that brings salvation and new life.
And isn't the truest reality of God's power seen in his willingness to become one of us? The creator subjecting himself to the wiles of the creation shows unimaginable strength and selflessness that permeates the entire Gospel.
Likewise, the cross is the ideal example of God's central narrative; to bring new life out of death. Or, in other words, to bring strength from meekness, hope from hopelessness, and possibility from uncertainty. Yes, when we are meek and weak, in fact, it is prime soil for God to cultivate strength and blessing.
This is why St. Paul says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me ... for whenever I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 9).
God of the meek and weak, continue to make us strong. Amen.
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