Strength In Weakness Series

In 1969, in a science lab in New Jersey, Canadian physicist Willard Boyle and his colleagues invented the concept of an electronic eye. Using their knowledge of mathematics and the behavior of light they provided the science behind digital cameras known as a charged-coupled device or CCD. The CCD technology revolutionized photography, as light could now be captured electronically instead of on film. Hubble telescope and the Mars Lunar probe used CCD technology. It was Boyle's invention that allowed us to see the surface of Mars for the first time. In 2009 Boyle was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.

A few years after the original invention of CCD technology, Boyle walked into a store to purchase a new digital camera based on his invention. During the visit, the salesman tried to explain the intricacies of the digital camera, but stopped, feeling it was too complicated for his customer to understand.

According to one long-time friend, Boyle was normally a humble man, but on this occasion, he was taken aback by the salesman's arrogance and disrespect. So Boyle bluntly replied: “No need to explain. I invented it.”

When the salesman didn't believe him, Boyle told the salesman to type “Willard S. Boyle” into his computer and see for himself. A Nikon representative in the store heard the exchange and immediately came over to have his photograph taken with the famous inventor (Allison Lawlor, “Master of Light invents a photo revolution,” Globe and Mail, 5-21-11; www.PreachingToday.com).

I like the way Boyle handled the disrespect that arrogant salesman showed him.

However, you and I are not famous inventors with a Nobel Prize. So, how do we “regular people” handle such disrespect? How do we respond when we feel contempt? Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to 2 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 12, where the Apostle Paul handles the disrespect he felt from the so-called “super apostles.”

2 Corinthians 12:1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord (ESV).

The so-called "super apostles” claimed to have visions from the Lord. So the Apostle Paul will also describe a vision he had from the Lord. Only, he does it in the third person so as not to draw too much attention to himself.

2 Corinthians 12:2-6 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me (ESV).

Unlike the “super-apostles,” Paul could truthfully boast about seeing heaven itself, but he wants people to evaluate him based only on what they see and hear from him. In contrast to being “let down” in a basket (2 Corinthians 11:33), Paul describes being “caught up” to the third heaven (verse 2). The first heaven is the sky above. The second heaven is the universe of stars and galaxies. The third heaven is God’s home itself—a place Paul calls “paradise” (verse 3).

William Barclay says, “The word Paradise comes from a Persian word which means a walled garden. When a Persian king wished to confer a very special honor on someone especially dear to him, he made him a companion of the garden and gave him the right to walk in the royal gardens with him in close companionship (Barclay, The Letters to the Corinthians, 3rd ed).

That was Paul’s experience with God! God invited Paul to walk in the royal heavenly garden with Him in close companionship. God honored Paul unlike anyone else! But the glorious news is God will honor every believer in the same way some day.

Paul talks about being “caught up” to paradise. It’s the same word he uses in 1 Thessalonians 4, where he talks about every believer being “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

On top of it all, God has already blessed every believer with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). God has also seated every believer with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). And God in some mysterious way shares His glory with every believer, awaiting the day when we will see Him in all His glory (John 17:22, 24). God honored Paul, but God honors everyone who puts their trust in Christ. So, when you feel disrespect, like Paul…