Strength In Weakness

Strength In Weakness

Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach.

John 7:14

Jesus traveled to the festival secretly. This made his opponents proud. But Jesus was obedient to God and wasn’t afraid of their defiance. He didn’t merely go to Jerusalem; he went to the middle of the temple. This was the place where his worst enemies, the priests and Pharisees, had great power and ruled. Setting aside all fear, Christ took them on at their own game. He didn’t ask if it was okay with them if he could preach. He ignored their religious authority and civil status and didn’t ask for permission. Instead, he entered the temple with enthusiasm and spiritual power and began to teach. Christ didn’t ask, “Mr. Annas, Mr. Caiaphas, do you mind if I preach?” Instead, he took over the priestly ministry for himself. He was very brave to walk up right before their eyes. Earlier they had challenged him and called him afraid and timid. Now they had to stand there and listen to him preach.

John describes this event for our comfort. No one should become worried when God allows himself to appear weak while the world boasts and struts around. The same is true for all Christians, especially preachers. They are often weak and timid while their powerful adversaries stomp their feet and threaten. This is nothing new. We have to get used to it. It doesn’t happen only to us. It happened to all the prophets and apostles. They appeared weak compared to their oppressors. Yet it was in their weakness that they were the strongest.