“For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness” 2 Corinthians 13:4a (NIV). This is the scandal of the Messiah being crucified. He submitted to a Roman execution, corrupt Jewish leaders, to the mob, and “like a lamb led to slaughter He opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). He submitted in weakness to the full weight of human evil being poured out on Him. It was in this paradoxical way that He was also submitting to His Father and the impassable cup. It was that submission that became the pattern for His followers as they submitted to persecution in the spirit of Christ. Out of this submission comes victory, out of this weakness comes power, out of this dying comes resurrection, out of this despair comes hope, and out of this evil comes good. We know that all things come out for the good to those who follow the Lamb, for we have seen the cross and we have seen the empty tomb.
“For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.” 2 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
