Philippians 2:5-8
What does it mean to be vulnerable? An NFL football team unexpectedly loses a game when an opposing coach discovers and exploits some weakness. Other teams then will exploit the same exposed weakness. A receiver attempting a difficult catch momentarily makes himself a “defenseless receiver.” The exposing of that weakness leads to vulnerability. Not many people like to be vulnerable or weak or defenseless. We live in a culture that values strength. When we are aware of our own weaknesses (and we all have them) we have no desire to expose them. Others exploit them to their advantage and our disadvantage. That’s why we often try to cover their weaknesses. The less vulnerable I am, the less likely my weakness is exploited in our competitive culture. But that’s not Christ’s way. The more I hide my weaknesses, the less I’m able to get help with them. The more I project only strength (or the illusion of it) the less capable I am sympathetic with others in their weaknesses. If my goal is to imitate Christ, however, then I need to resist the urge to cover my weaknesses; I need to embrace vulnerability. Following the way of Jesus rather than the ways of this world can lead to a powerful witness. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Meekness is not the same as weakness, but it involves humility and a willingness not to use our power to dominate others. In that way, it is a type of vulnerability. We see Jesus demonstrating vulnerability with His disciples both in embracing positions of weakness and service: washing the disciples’ feet, John 13:1-17; and in His powerful expression of anguish before His disciples in Gethsemane, Matt. 26:36-46). Paul is even more explicit about embracing weakness. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor. 1:27). Paul teaches us to not deny our weakness, and to not follow the world’s so-called “wisdom” that values strength and disdains vulnerability. There is a more central and more powerful example yet: Jesus’ choice to take on the fullness of human weakness: the vulnerability of a human baby, born in captivity; of human flesh that experienced pain, hunger, loss, and suffering; and ultimately of being hung on a cross where all His enemies could exploit the weakness of human flesh: the vulnerability of death itself. The long-expected Messiah arrived not in the triumph of politics and power, but unexpectedly in shocking humility and vulnerability. It is the vulnerability that Paul expresses so beautifully in Philippians 2:5-8. It is the hardest idea to fathom: the astounding vulnerability of God. In what ways might you practice vulnerability? More willing to discuss your own weaknesses or struggles with others in your family? your church? Lord, help me to grow in my honesty with others. In the Name of our Savior who took on human flesh with astounding vulnerability, Amen! Comments are closed.
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