The slain has the gain

12 April 2009

2 Cor 13:4a

‘He was crucified in weakness but lives by the power of God.’

Introduction

God’s kingdom often called the Upside Down Kingdom because of its back-to-front values.
This text is a prime example. Christ was crucified in weakness but lives by the power of God. Crucifixion ought to have been the end of it – but proved to be the beginning.

The Lamb of God

In the Bible, Jesus is often called the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Isaiah 53:7; Rev 5:6-13).
At the time of the Passover, when the Angel of God visited judgement on the Egyptians, he ‘passed over’ the houses of the Israelites, because they had sacrificed a lamb (Exodus 12).
Similarly, in the sacrificial system a lamb could be offered as a substitutional sin offering (Lev 4:32-35).
Of course, no animal can really take away sin (Heb 8:11-15). It would take at least one human life to atone for another. E.g. if you were kidnapped by terrorists and your family offered a cat in exchange for you, the idea would be scoffed at.
This was a foretelling of the sacrifice of Jesus. His life was of infinite value – and by his sacrifice for us he shows that our lives are also infinitely valuable.
As God he was able to bear the sins of the whole world; as man he had the right to do so.
So he too was led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7).
Possibly a young lamb, cute and cuddly, weak and vulnerable.
‘He was crucified in weakness.’
And this he did not for his own sins but for ours (Heb 7:27-28).
The crucifixion looked like an act of weakness. Yielding to beating and death without resistance. (‘Save yourself!)
Yes, he was crucified in weakness. But it was necessary and it was by choice.
Will you trust him today?

The Lion of Judah

He is also called the Lion of Judah (Gen 49:9-10)
In Rev 5 he is seen as both Lamb and Lion.
Lion = conqueror.
So he rose victorious over death. What looked like defeat became a great victory
This little poem expresses the truth of the text. The words with an initial capital letter refer to Christ. He is the ‘Slain’ – but He has the gain!

’Twas on a day of rout
They girded Me about
They wounded all My brow
And they smote Me through the side.
My hand held no sword
When I met their armed horde
And the conqueror fell down
And the Conquered bruised his pride.
What is this, unheard before,
That the Unarmed makes the war,
And the Slain hath the gain
And the victor hath the rout?
Read Phil 2:5-11 – Jesus emptied himself and assumed human weakness, but rose triumphant so that at his name every knee will bow.
See also Eph 1:20-23.
In other words, Jesus has supreme authority over all that is wicked and evil in the world. He does not just forgive our sins but brings us to a place where we can overcome sin and live a positive, upright life.
This is what we celebrate today.

In a letter to Insights, Charles Brown notes that the NCLS suggests that in 15 years US church attendance will be halved. He argues that ‘people say they can’t believe what the church expects them to accept as truth.’ He suggests we are 'losing the battle to a more educated and critical population’ and suggests we need to engage in dialogue with ‘progressive theologians’ who present things ‘in a believable form appropriate for our time’.

In fact, he ignores the overwhelming evidence that the congregations that are growing are in fact the evangelical churches – the very ones who are re-affirming the great biblical truths without compromise. This is true both within and without the UC.

Interestingly, a page three article by Caroline Overington in the The Weekend Australian (11-12 April 2009) laments the lack of biblical knowledge in our society today and argues a case for re-educating people with biblical stories. And the newspaper’s Editorial has this to say –

The joy of Easter is that hope springs eternal… Churches that serve the spiritual needs of people for solace and above all, hope, will be full this Sunday… This Easter we will celebrate in ways not much changed from the ways our ancestors did a century ago. Some Australians will rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Others will revel in the suspension of the routines of life an extra-long weekend brings…

Here is a secular editorial affirming the need for us to continue to speak with a clear message of hope to a troubled generation.

What we need today is not a re-writing of the old gospel but a re-affirmation of it! A clear message in a muddled world.

We have a clear message. Christ is risen! Jesus is alive.

To argue against the resurrection, is a bit like arguing that my wife does not exist. You could even prove it, perhaps. But there is only one thing I need to say in response to demolish the arguments – ‘I know she exists because I’ve met her and I love her.’ So also with Christ. I know He is alive because I have met Him and I love Him.

What this means for us

Like Jesus it is in our weakness that we find God’s grace.
Not by our own efforts.
God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9).
And we, too, live by the power of God.

Challenge

So will you put yourself in the hands of Christ today? Will you be willing to admit your weakness and let God be the source of your strength?
Will you confess your sin, and trust in the all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus to cover all your sin and leave you clean and free?
Will you embrace the victorious life that is yours in Christ?
It’s very easy! Just ask him today.

Something to think or talk about

Remember, you don’t have to answer all the questions. Just address those that seem most relevant.
Read: 2 Corinthians 13:4a

Biblical

Read the Passover story in Exodus 12. Note the similarities between this story and the story of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Read Leviticus 4:32-35 and Hebrews 7:27-28 and Hebrews 8:11-15. What is the overall conclusion we can draw from these three passages?
Jesus was both Son of God and Son of Man. From John’s gospel (chapters 18 and 19), give specific examples of how as Son of Man he experienced human weakness in his trial and crucifixion.
How did the rulers of the day perceive the crucifixion? (Luke 22:1-6; 1 Corinthians 2:8, 9).
Read John 12:24-25. What is the principle that lies behind these verses?
What was the significance of the resurrection? (Read passages such as Romans 1:4; 6:3, 4, 9; Hebrews 7:16; Ephesians 1:20-23)

Personal and Practical
Re-write Ephesians 1:20-23 in 21st century terms.
How does the crucifixion-resurrection principle work out in your life? (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Try your hand a writing a short poem based on 2 Corinthians 13:4a or John 12:24-25. You could also do this as a group activity.

Christian Life