The apostle enters the city, the dust and sweat of miles lingering on his clothes and body. He had endured the heat and the bitter cold of the wilderness. The sound of the jackal’s howl, the wolf’s baying, the viper’s hiss, and the night owls’ screech were all too familiar to this man. The God he serves once confronted him in these familiar dry and deserted regions.
He wandered lonely desert trails, his life often under constant threat. Heaven’s purpose beat inside his chest and drove him onward to distant corners of the known world. He knew the high cost of following this Way. Suffering was a close companion. His message attracted scorn and the violent opposition of many, and persecution awaited him in every city.
For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16, NIV)
He testified of this calling, saying,
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-30 NIV)
He had been taken in hand by the God of his forefathers. He was laying hold of that for which he had been laid of. His message was received with hostility and rejection everywhere he went by angry mobs and riotous people. Its opposition came from two sources: one earthly, which was incited by the other source which was unearthly.
In all of the following cities Paul was persecuted, stoned, attacked, plotted against, rejected and pushed out:
- Philippi – Paul is imprisoned
- Thessalonica – Mob violence breaks out
- Jerusalem – Riot starts, he is bound and arrested
- Ephesus – Riot starts over Paul’s teachings about Jesus
- Berea – Some rise up and seek to harm Paul
- Lystra – He is stoned, dragged outside the city and left for dead
- Iconium – Paul’s gospel is greatly resisted, and some plot to kill him.
- Caesarea – Riot starts, Paul is arrested and imprisoned
- Athens – His message is opposed
The powers of darkness knew where this message was coming from; they knew it was being delivered from heaven through Paul as its earthly messenger. This is what attracted so much hostility, the message inciting all hell.
However, how did Paul react under these conditions? What was his response to the mob violence and such stinging persecution against what he had to say?
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10, NAS95)
You see, Paul, as a Christian, was extremely weak. He was supposed to be. This is part of the calling, part of our calling and how we are all supposed to live. It is about dependence, reliance, and ultimately leaning heavily, or should I say heavenly, upon Jesus.
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NAS95)
It is when we are resigned to a place of powerlessness in ourselves to carry on or carry out living our Christianity that it is right there that we begin to live on the ground of heavenly possibility. For what is impossible with man is possible with God.
When we are drained to the last dregs of self-strength, it is there that God can begin to work. This lesson takes time, pressure, and failure upon failure to learn. However, it is not something we can arrange or bring ourselves to. We have too much self-preservation locked up inside to allow such a work of reduction. No! This is a work only God can do, and in His way and in His time, He does a perfect work.
He has made everything beautiful in its time… (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV)
All of these things work together for good. They teach us the shallow extent of our life in contrast to the infinite and limitless life of Christ. Following in the Master’s footsteps, we discover that even He allowed Himself to be reduced, by being born in our likeness. Then going further, God, the King, the creator, becoming a servant of His own creation.
In fact, He became as weak and defenceless as a tiny babe in a manger.
Jesus demonstrated the need for Christianity to become weak. In doing so, God’s mighty all-powerful strength is released through and in our lives to live above overwhelming circumstances and situations. It lifts God into view, exalting and magnifying the glory and power of Christ above all else.