Something to Remember the Next Time You’re Feeling Weak

In 2 Corinthians 13:3-4, Paul readily acknowledges something about our King.

He was crucified in weakness…

Our King knew sorrow and sweat, hunger and thirst. Our King slept and wept. He had a body that was beaten, bruised, and pierced. Our King can sympathize with weakness. And yet, that’s not the whole story.

…but (he) lives by the power of God.

Our King is alive. So, what? Does that really matter on an ordinary Friday in February 2023? Notice the language Paul uses as he communicates the implications of our risen King to the Corinthians.

He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

Jesus Christ “is.” He is dealing “with” you. He is powerful “among” you. And what difference that make for everyday life? Armed with those realities, just listen to what Paul is able to then say of himself and Christians in Corinth.

For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

Our King was crucified in weakness. Our King lives by the power of God. He is no longer weak. He is powerful among his people. Though we continue to deal with weakness and weariness at times, there is strength to be drawn from this confident expectation: we will live with him by the power of God.

Jesus lives by the power of God. Jesus is powerful among his people. We will live with our King by the power of God.

That’s worth remembering the next time you’re feeling weak.