The Cross: Weak Bodies Turned Strong in Christ
Drops of blood traveling down his face. The wounds deepening and widening with each step. His body mistreated to the point of death.
Jesus bore it all on his body to strengthen our bodies at their weakest. We would still suffer for his sake, for that’s the price of being with him, but never to the point he did. We would never have to drink the cup of wrath; our bodies would be fully secured in the promise of an incorruptible inheritance.
Our Savior purchased a new story through the blood that had been falling down his face only hours ago. He purchased what we all lost in the fall—bodies dependent on God’s strength.
In the last moments of Maundy Thursday, I suddenly had to lie down, dizzy and depleted. While I didn’t know what was going on, it wasn’t long after I settled on the couch that the enemy’s accusations filled my head: “You are weak,” “You should be working,” “You are not good enough to be called a disciple of Christ.”
As the accusations rang in my head, Christ’s voice boomed louder, “I was strong, so you didn’t have to be.”
Jesus said
If I am weak
I should come to him
No one else can be my strength
I should come to him
Goes the song “Jesus, strong and Kind.” by Cityalight
As I leaned on my dad to lead me up the stairs, I felt the firm grip of my Savior: strong yet kind. Jesus, in his kindness, didn’t come to point out our weakness as the enemy so frequently does. Rather, he came to bear the weight of the cross—of humanity’s sins—to free us from dealing with the weaknesses on our own. Kind but also strong.
Yes, our bodies will one day be without sin, but today they are still weak and prone to sickness, tiredness, dizziness, and much more. But that’s never the end of the story. Because Christ died for us and has taken the honorary seat next to the Father, we can come to him with our requests and trust that he will strengthen us.
But why can we trust him?
We can trust him because he understands the limitations and suffering of the human body.
He knows the weakness of our bodies, for Simon had to carry the cross after him (Luke 23:26).
He knows the needs of our bodies, for he thirsted in his last moments of life (John 19:28).
He knows the injustices our bodies experience daily, for a murderer was released in his place (John 18:40).
After I lay on the couch for a few minutes, I asked God to comfort me. I trusted that he could do it because He has a promise in his Word that he sealed through the sacrifice of his Son:
“For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:5, NIV)
The key word here is through. Through the work of Jesus Christ at the cross, we can be confident that we are not alone in our suffering bodies. He loved us enough to bear our sins, and he loves us still to sustain us in our weak, sinful bodies. We don’t have to despair that we are partakers of the suffering because comfort is always on the other side. After I asked for comfort, I also asked for God’s strength to sustain me, which is also a promise we see in Scripture:
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT)
I saw his strength from my dad’s arm holding me tight and his comfort through my sister patiently asking and providing what I needed to get up. This Good Friday, Christ’s strength and kindness displayed at the cross is available in any weakness you may be experiencing with your body. He was strong, so you didn’t have to be.