Thorns And Grace (July 2012).

THORNS AND GRACE

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

I remember going barefoot as a ten year old kid, when I was living in Aiken as a preacher’s kid. As I was going barefoot, I wound up stepping on a board that had three nails in it. The pain got my attention and definitely changed the way I walked. Suffice it to say that following the incident, I got a tetanus shot that felt like another nail.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing passages of scripture is that of Paul's mention of the "thorn in his flesh." Paul expounded upon his metaphor of the thorn as he said that it was something that kept his pride in check. The thorn in Paul’s flesh kept him from walking with his head held too high. In fact, when it came to bragging, Paul often took the low road.

Paul never tells us what his "thorn" was. Therefore, one can only speculate as to what it was. Ecclesiastes 3: . Paul talks about the thorn, its purpose and his prayer for it removal.

THE THORN

Paul used "thorn" and "flesh" as metaphors. Since Paul’s use of the word for flesh was not restricted to just the physical realm, people have speculated what Paul was describing. The "thorn" could refer to a bodily ailment (epilepsy, migraine , a speech impediment, ophthalmia, malaria), or a mental struggle (bouts of depression, despair, or spiritual). (Ernest Best. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary For Teaching And Preaching; Second Corinthians. Louisville: John Knox Press, 1987, p. 118). Even though we cannot specify what the thorn is that Paul is describing, we can certainly can identify Paul’s metaphor of the thorn in the flesh.

There are different reactions to pain of our "thorns". Someone (Warren Wiersbe) notes three possible reactions of others. First, there is the potential for bitterness toward God or others. Secondly, there is the option that Paul eventually chose which is to surrender and accept suffering. Thirdly, like Paul, there are those who pray for deliverance and learn that deliverance comes through prayer while relying on God to help them with what is beyond their ability to control or bear alone. (Warren W. Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Volume 1. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1989, pp. 674 - 675). Again, what makes some draw closer to God can also make others withdraw from God.

Sometimes pain is a given circumstance of our humanity. How can we live and not experience something that will cause pain whether physical, emotional or spiritual? We can do things and make decisions that cause us pain. A pastor friend of mine once preached a sermon where he distinguished between “clean pain” meaning things caused by others or “dirty pain” that we caused ourselves. Just think of the innocent victims that get hurt because of the carelessness of drunk drivers.

THE PURPOSE

Believe it or not, physical pain does serve a purpose. It has been said (by Dr. Paul Brandt and Philip Yancey) that pain can serve a purpose. "Pain employs a total range of conversation. It whispers to us in the early stages of damage: subconsciously, we feel a slight discomfort and toss and turn in bed. It speaks to us as danger increases: a hand grows tender and sore after a long stint at raking leaves. And pain shouts at us when danger becomes severe: blisters, ulcers, and tissue damage break out, forcing us to change behavior" . (Dr. Paul Brandt and Philip Yancey. In His Image. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984, p. 235). The same is true of pain on a spiritual level.

How does pain serve a purpose on the spiritual level? It has been said (by Dr. Paul Brandt and Philip Yancey) that “Pain unifies the body” . (Dr. Paul Brandt and Philip Yancey, p. 241). Someone might ask “How does pain unify the body?” Consider what Paul says in I Corinthians 12:26: "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored every part rejoices with it" (NIV). The way that we respond to it brings out what is inside of us, whether it be bitterness, doubt or faith.

At the beginning of this text (I Corinthians 12:1- 10) Paul indirectly tells us he was called up to Paradise which for the Jews was believed to be the highest level of heaven. You see Paul kept quiet about that vision for 14 years. When he talks about it, he speaks in the third person so as not to draw attention to himself in exaltation. In Paul's own words he says, "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me" (II Corinthians 12:7 NIV). In spite of how weak this “thorn” made Paul, God gave him the strength that he needed to endure: “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into it’s own in your weakness” ( I Corinthians 12:9 The Message). God’s grace is sufficient because His power is made perfect in our weakness (I Corinthians 12:9 NIV Paraphrased).