From “The Cross in our Context” by Douglas John Hall
Continuing with the notion of God’s “self-imposed” weakness:
Against Nietzsche, the pastor’s son who complained so bitterly about the “feminine” weakness of the Christian God and his Christ, Niebuhr recognizes here that God’s apparent weakness is the sign and consequence of a strength that is greater than mere brawn: it is the strength that is demanded of those who voluntarily forfeit their strength in order to be strong for the other.
What a wonderful statement about God’s strength: “it is the strength that is demanded of those who voluntarily forfeit their strength in order to be strong for the other.” We are not a people who live by showing our force and making sure that we are as secure as can be. Rather, we are a people who are willing to stand in for those who have no power or strength. That may be why our God is repeatedly called the God of the oppressed. That is why Jesus is one who continuously go along with those who are the least, the lowest, and the little. It is there as we let go of the power we think we have that we begin to see the strength that is available through the God whose action of solidarity with us was a voluntary forfeit of strength and a supreme show of God’s power for life.
Connection: We are called to be servants for all…even those for whom no one would ever offer the time of day. And yet, we give them the day by joining in it with them. How will we serve today?
Lord God, your love brings us the opportunity to share our lives with one another. In that sharing, you give us eyes to see new life and then you teach us to walk hand in hand with others into your blessed Reign. Thanks be to you. Amen.
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