It is further incumbent upon us to consider Jesus' weakness as a voluntary state.

Those mockers around the cross, taunted Jesus saying, If You are the Son of God then save Yourself. If You come down from the cross, we will see and believe. They did not realize that the Christian faith is not based on seeing and then believing. Rather, it is predicated on believing and then seeing. We do not believe because we see, we see because we believe.

Jesus understood His mission. He voluntarily sacrificed His life for you and me. To this end and for this purpose was He born and for this purpose He died on Calvary in utter weakness for man – but it was a permitted weakness.

Certainly, we cannot leave this discussion on Jesus' weakness without acknowledging that His was a passionate weakness. Who can describe the love of God? How can we with such limited words define the love of God? Paul does his best when he prays to the Ephesians that they may know the love of God which surpasses knowledge. We cannot comprehend God's love intellectually but we can know it experientially. It was His great love that not only led Jesus to the cross, but held Him there.

Jesus stayed on the cross because He loved us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” He loved the world; every race and every nation, every tribe and every culture, every thought and every condition of man. There is not anyone anywhere that God does not love. He wanted to see this broken world restored, every division united, all of our sicknesses healed. He wanted to see all prayers answered, all burdens lifted, all tears wiped away. He wanted to see all hopes fulfilled and all sinners redeemed. So He died on the cross and laid a foundation for life.

Love kept Jesus on the cross. His love for a lost and dying humanity was His weakness. On Calvary with outstretched arms, He enveloped an unworthy humanity. The cords of His great love are firmer than granite and stronger than steel. It was His love, His passionate weakness.

This same love unites the saints of God. Love will keep us to our Christian duty. Love will keep us fighting the good fight of faith until victory is won. We talk about being strong in the Lord but we cannot be strong in Him until we learn to be weak in Him. It is not political power, prestige, position or numbers, but the weakness of Christ that brings the power of God. This is where the power of God comes from. It is from knowing the weakness of Jesus Christ. Paul said, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10. Even though in context, Paul was here talking about physical weakness, it is still true that "when I am weak" – when the weakness of Christ is mine, when the weakness that led Him to Calvary is mine – then I am strong. Then – and only then – will I know the power of God. There is no short cut; there is no other way than the way of Calvary to the power of God.

I am reminded of the prayer of Martin Luther. It was the prayer he offered just before standing trial at the Diet of Worms. Here was a man who voluntarily chose to do what he believed God wanted him to do at tremendous cost. This is what he prayed:

"Almighty and eternal God, what a strange cause this is! How it loosens peoples' tongues! How small and insignificant is their trust in you! How weak and tender is the flesh, and how powerful and busy is the devil, with the help of his apostles and the worldly wise! How quickly the world withdraws help, does an about-face, pursues the easy way, and speeds on the broad road to hell where the godless belong. It sees only what is brilliant and powerful, great, mighty, and respected! If I should turn my eyes to it, I would be done for.

Oh God, Oh God, Oh my God, Oh my God, stand by me against all the wisdom and reason of the world. Do it. You alone must do it. It is not really my concern; it is yours. Alone I have nothing to do with these great lords of the world. I want good and quiet days, undisturbed. But it is your cause; it is righteous and eternal. Stand by me. Oh true and eternal God. I do not rely on human counsel, for it would be in vain. All that is carnal and tastes carnal falters.

O God, O God, do you not hear me, my God? Are you dead? No, you cannot die; you are only hiding. Have you called me to this place? I ask you so that I may be sure. God, grant it! Never in my life had I thought to oppose such great rulers and never had I set out to do it.

O God, stand by me in the name of your dear Son Jesus Christ who shall be my Protector and Defender, even my mighty Fortress, through the power and help of your Holy Spirit.

Lord, where are you? Come, come, I am ready like a patient lamb to lay down my life for this cause. It is your cause and it is righteous. I will not separate myself from you forever. Be it resolved in your name that the world cannot force me to act against my conscience, even if I had still more devils, and if my body which is first of all your creation should have to perish. So your Word and Spirit come to my rescue even if only for the body. And my soul is yours. It belongs to you, and may it remain with you forever. Amen. So help me. Amen."

Luther's Prayers
Edited by Herbert F. Brokering
©1994 Augsburg Press

Martin Luther could have sought a cloistered life in on of the monasteries of Germany and never been heard of. He could have eked out a bare existence is some sheltered, hallowed spot and never have suffered for the sake of Christ. But he did not. Why? Because he knew something of Calvary's love. He knew something of the strength of God gained only through the weakness of Christ Jesus.