Embracing Weakness
(Free Version) The Third Sunday in Lent- Exodus 3:1-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9
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In this week’s readings, we are led to embrace our own weakness and vulnerability whether in times of desert wandering, times when we think we know what is best, or in times when we seek to control our environment.
All three of our passages have something to do with embracing weakness, with coming to the end of ourselves. This is really the call of Lent: recognizing our own vulnerability and trusting in the one who is working in us and in the world.
Moses appears wandering (Exodus 3:1-15), with a confused identity. He is an Israelite by birth, an Egyptian by nurture, and a Midianite by vocation and culture. He is all of these things and also none of these things. Moses is so unrooted that he names his son “I am a stranger in a strange land.” He appears to be disqualified from any meaningful role in God’s story. It is at this point of weakness and wandering that God appears. Heaven meets earth in a bush that will not burn up. Moses is invited into the story of rescue and redemption.
Paul reminds a confident, enlightened church, full of “knowledge,” of their own vulnerabilities (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). They must not presume, because they have been baptized and receive communion that they could not easily fall into idolatry. After all, Israel was given God’s presence and power, yet they turned away from God. They will be tested, yet God will always be faithful to provide a way to endure the temptation.
In our gospel reading, Jesus cautions his hearers not to trust in the temple system, their nationalism, or in the sword (Luke 13:1-9). The way of the kingdom does not employ the same tactics as Pilate. Now is the time to repent. Embrace your weakness, which means the journey to the cross.
In what ways might God be calling you to embrace your weakness in order for him to shine through? Perhaps you spend much of your life trying to prove yourself, that you know what you’re talking about.
Your painful past, your anxiety, your illness, your family drama. Maybe those aren’t things you just have to deal with on your way to God’s purpose for you. Maybe God is working his purpose in the midst those things. We have a choice…Are we going to embrace worldly strength…the pursuit of control, money, status sex, power, approval, etc? Or are we going to take the path of vulnerability and allow God to change us on holy ground?