Majesty and meekness

We marvel when God comes through in majestic ways. We praise him when he 'answers' with a definite sway of power over earthly life. Here we have Jesus placing God's power and majesty with his 'meekness' and willingness to 'be delivered into the hands of men'. A God of 'power and might' who does not have to use strong arm tactics on his creatures. Paradox of power and weakness, or more accurately, power in weakness, power through weakness.
Jesus' disclosure of 'weakness' (meekness) and being delivered into the hands of others, caught his disciples off guard. They could not 'understand', and perhaps even with whatever little light there was, they were too afraid to ask further. Like patients who are told that they have a growth that needs to be removed - yet they dare not ask what kind of growth it is - in their deepest heart, they suspect something, but unconscious denial takes over. Jesus seems to have left his friends where they were, understanding they would need time to absorb the mystery of power in weakness. A God who is not afraid to accept weakness, even to death on cross (Phil 2)....for even that could not stop the power of his love reaching over to humankind.
'Triumphalist theology' (theology of glory) or theology of the cross? How do we hold the two in life giving tension? How do we live our lives in the light of one and the other at the same time? No easy answers, except to remember that the various Christian traditions have leaned towards one or the other at different times. Ordinary Christians would be confused, unless we constantly turn to the Lord and ask him: Lord, how would you like me to give witness to you in this situation - through power or through weakness...?
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