Mark 10:13-16
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Reflection
The mercy of God extends to all people, including those who are not highly valued by society. As a deliberate example of this, Jesus loves and blesses children. He reminds us that it is childlike humility and trust that marks those who belong to God’s kingdom. God does not measure significance according to the value systems of this world. He is not impressed with our intellectual sophistication, physical abilities, or social popularity. God values our willingness to surrender ourselves to him in complete trust. Those who rely on him will find that he is smiling upon them.
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
16 I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not with the Lord's authority but as a fool. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. 19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! 20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. 21 To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.
Reflection
In this passage Paul sarcastically uses the boastful tone of the false apostles to show the church that they have been deceived. He speaks as a fool would in order to expose the foolishness of proud boasting (2 Cor. 11:21). Ironically, Paul boasts about things that expose his weaknesses (vv. 23–28, 30–33) so that the power of Christ is on display.
Paul’s list of afflictions is the greatest argument for his apostleship because it demonstrates his unity with Christ; Paul, Christ’s apostle (his authorized representative), suffers just as Christ suffered. This helps us see that our own trials and sufferings can actually be used to reinforce our proclamation of the gospel. God uses the hardest and most shameful experiences of our lives to soften us and teach us about the wonders of his love. He uses our sufferings to demonstrate that he is gracious and sufficient.
Psalm 113:5-8
5 Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, 6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, 8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.
Don’t fear that your weaknesses are a hindrance to the work of God in and through you. Ask God to show himself strong by doing great things through you and your church family despite your weaknesses.