One of our problems with God is that we have expectations as to how God should work — as to what is proper for divinity. And God often doesn’t accommodate our expectations. We know this first from our Jewish heritage, which bequeaths to us the tradition that when God acts, things happen that are out of the ordinary. For example:
- the blind see (Isaiah 29:18)
- the desert blooms and rejoices (Isaiah 35)
- the barren bear many children (Isaiah 54:1)
- the wolf shall dwell with the lamb [along with other unlikely companions] (Isaiah 11)
- the meek inherit the land (Psalm 37:11)
The primary example of the unexpected way in which God works is the cross.
How ridiculous it must have looked — that sign, “King of the Jews” above someone who was stripped, naked, and helpless on the cross! The one who had claimed to be the bread of life, but now can’t even scratch his own nose, much less feed anyone! Surely the invitation to take up our cross and follow Jesus is the height of folly.
This wasn’t even a noble death. Crucifixion was the most shameful method of execution. If Jesus had been a war hero dying in battle, it might have been considered an honorable death. Even if he had been a great Greek or Roman philosopher who made a dramatic speech in his defense — that might have been less shameful. But Jesus didn’t say much at all — a few words, a cry of anguish. Even as a death, it was disappointing in human eyes.
But as Paul says:
The message of the cross is folly for those who are on the way to ruin, but for those of us who are on the road to salvation it is the power of God.
(1 Corinthians 1:18 NJB)
Who would have guessed that out of this weakness — when Jesus couldn’t use his hands, for they were nailed to the wood; couldn’t walk, for his feet were nailed; had wounds on his head from the thorns that were part of the clown costume that the soldiers had made him wear, and his chest wounded by the spear — who would guess that out of this weakness would come new life for the world, new life for each of us?
Who would guess that a public execution would show us the power of God?
Who would guess that God’s power would be made perfect in weakness? (See 2 Cor 12:9.)