The high priest was chosen from among humankind to make sacrifices for the people’s sins and his own, so that in his intercession for them he would feel their weakness, having himself the same weaknesses (Hebrews 5:1-2). Jesus also came in weakness, emptying Himself of His divine prerogatives, to show the weak how to get through this world (Philippians 2:6-7). We follow Him, not by claiming we are strong enough to do it, but by acknowledging our weakness and relying on His strength. It is by this kind of weakness that the mighty are confounded. We cannot follow Christ in our own strength, but only by depending on His.
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29 ESV)
From “Growing Toward Maturity”, by H. Lamar Smith.
