Jars Of Clay - By Design

Recently, something very strange happened to me. Something that I always knew was theoretically possible, but which still came as a shock. A couple of weeks ago, I woke up one morning and realized that I was now — wait for it — a “Grandpa”.

Now, the event which brought about this transformation was of course a very joyful one: our daughter and her husband welcomed our first grandchild into the world, A strapping young fellow, 22 ½ inches long, with hands like catcher’s mitts. We are exceedingly blessed and thankful.

It still seems strange to think of myself as a Grandpa. But I suppose I’ll have to get used to it. Now in addition to this change, a month ago I turned sixty-five, which is when you officially become a senior citizen. Yes. The other day, I was at the dentist, and the dental hygienist asked me, “So, are you still working?” I answered, “Yes, I’m working, but I plan to retire soon”. And I thought, “why is she asking me that?” Why would you ask someone if they’re “still working”? Doesn’t that imply that they look old enough to be retired? Well, since that’s obviously not the case, given my youthful appearance, I’m choosing to believe that she saw my age in the medical record. But in any case, I’m being reminded, in several ways, that time is passing. Don’t get me started on the mailings I receive every week from the AARP. Now thankfully, I’m in excellent health. I stay active; I swim, and play tennis; I lift weights. My heart is strong. My mind is clear — as far as I know. If you think otherwise, please don’t tell me. But I can’t escape the fact that there are more years behind me than in front of me. It’s a sobering realization. And one that perhaps many of you have had also.

Which brings us to this morning’s text. Paul is writing to the church at Corinth, the letter that we know as Second Corinthians. Paul is writing the letter, in part, to justify his ministry in response to those who were criticizing him. He was likely in his mid-50’s at the time, an old man by first century standards. And I think that what he had to say to them is worth considering, for those of us who are getting older (which includes everyone in this room, even those whose hair hasn’t turned white).

The most striking thing about Paul’s defense of his ministry in this letter is that he doesn’t try to build himself up by boasting. He doesn’t try to impress them by talking about how wise and learned he is, or how powerful a speaker, or how strong and decisive. Instead, he acknowledges his weakness and admits that he is not in control of events. Listen to this:

30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.” (2 Corinthians 11:30-33).

Paul, the great apostle to the gentiles! Paul, the miracle-worker! Paul, who had to sneak out of the city by hiding in a basket and being lowered from a window, in the middle of the night. Paul, who had to run away and hide. Not so impressive, is it?

Later, Paul write about his “thorn in the flesh”— which was likely a physical disability or ailment; we’re not sure what — and this provides another example of his weakness:

“8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Paul, who performed great works of healing, couldn’t heal himself. So here we have Paul, who is seeking to defend his right to preach the gospel and his authority to testify to the saving power of Jesus Christ. But he doesn’t talk about how great he is, how strong, how powerful. Just the opposite. He freely acknowledges his limitations, his weaknesses. In fact, he says that he “delights” in them. Why? Why would he do that? Because it’s not about his strength, his power, his wisdom, his authority. It’s about Christ and his power. It’s about the power of Christ acting in us, and through us. That’s what matters. This is important for us to remember at every stage of life, but especially so as we age and sense that our strength and abilities may be diminishing. It doesn’t matter. Because it was never about our strength or our power or our ability in the first place. It’s about his power. Our limitations do not limit God. And our weakness does not diminish God’s strength.