Sunday 11th June
Read 2 Corinthians 11:30-33
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised for ever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.” (NIVUK)
The incredible contrasts Paul displays between what he thinks is worthy of boasting about and what those infected by the world consider worthy is immense. We are so unwilling today to be wronged that the idea that we boast in it is itself offensive!
Carson captures that gulf perfectly in one of his many sonnets.
“Credentials apostolic: here’s my boast,
Certificate of God’s elusive call.
I might have pointed out that I am Paul,
A Benjamite of purest lines, the toast
Of high rabbinic educators, most
Experienced church planter; but the pall
Of guilt, the grace of God, Golgotha-all
Combine to prompt this apostolic boast:
Like wretched slaves I’ve worked-and borne the lash.
Severely beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked thrice,
In constant danger, treated like old trash
By my own flocks-these prove I serve the Christ.
For I delight to suffer weakness, wrong.
Grace answers need; and when I’m weak, I’m strong.”
Don Carson – Holy Sonnets of the Twentieth Century (#44)
