Vulnerable

What is it to be vulnerable?

Consider this --

"I'm aware of my past mistakes and sins. I'm aware that the present may not be all that I've wanted it to be. And I don't know my complete future on this earth. But I trust in the Lord with all of my heart." Proverbs 3:5

Could it be true that we should acknowledge that in some situations, we may feel vulnerable?

Then Pilate ordered that Jesus be taken away and whipped. The soldiers made a crown from some thorny branches and put it on Jesus' head and put a purple robe around Him. Then they came to Him many times and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and hit Him in the face. John 19:1-3

Using thorny branches, they made a crown, put it on His [Jesus'] head, and put a stick in His right hand. Then the soldiers bowed before Jesus and made fun of Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat on Jesus. Then they took His stick and began to beat Him on the head. Matthew 27:29-30

Here's another time when Jesus might have felt vulnerable --

"What do you think?"

The people answered, "He [Jesus] should die."

Then the people there spat in Jesus' face and beat Him with their fists. Others slapped Him. Matthew 26:66-67

Peter wrote about the Lord Jesus Christ that believers should follow in His steps.

This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as He did. He had never sinned, and He had never lied.

People insulted Christ, but He did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but He did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him. 1 Peter 2:21-23

We can feel vulnerable when we're questioned by others with supposedly higher, civil authority such as the Roman governor Pilate's interrogation of Jesus. Matthew 27:2; John 18:28, 33-38; 1 Timothy 6:13

He [Pilate] went back inside the palace and asked Jesus, "Where do you come from?"

But Jesus did not answer him.

Pilate said, "You refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have power to set you free and power to have you crucified?"

Jesus answered, "The only power you have over Me is the power given to you by God. The man who turned Me in to you is guilty of a greater sin." John 19:9-11

Jesus told His first disciples about future persecution when they might feel vulnerable --

"When you are brought into the synagogues [religious meeting places] before the leaders and other powerful people, don't worry about how to defend yourself or what to say. At that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say." Luke 12:11-12

Should we be prepared to defend ourselves physically? If not, won't we feel vulnerable?

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also." Matthew 5:38-39

Jesus also said, "Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

Sometimes, to escape evil people is the Lord's plan so we're NOT vulnerable --

But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man [Jesus] comes." Matthew 10:21-23

And immediately, while He [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Mark 14:43

Then they [Jesus' disciples] all forsook Him [Jesus] and fled. Mark 14:50

When I [Paul] was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas wanted to arrest me, so he put guards around the city. But my friends lowered me in a basket through a hole in the city wall. So I escaped from the governor. 2 Corinthians 11:32-33

Some who were not Jews, some Jews, and some of their rulers wanted to mistreat Paul and Barnabas and to stone them to death. When Paul and Barnabas learned about this, they ran away to Lystra and Derbe, cities in Lycaonia, and to the areas around those cities. They announced the Good News there, too. Acts 14:5-7

In addition to the Lord's spiritual armor that includes the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, Ephesians 6:10-17 what about physical weapons, too?

He [Jesus] said to them [His followers], "But now if you have a purse or a bag, carry that with you. If you don’t have a sword, sell your coat and buy one. The Scripture says, 'He was treated like a criminal,' and I tell you this Scripture must have its full meaning. It was written about Me, and it is happening now."

His followers said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords."

He said to them, "That is enough." Luke 22:36-38

This amount of weapons was 2 swords (for 11 disciples and Jesus) because Judas Iscariot would leave the Passover meal to gather a crowd to arrest Jesus. Matthew 26:47-50; John 13:21-30

Two swords wouldn't be enough to stop a mob set on arresting the Lord, would they?

But that fact didn't stop Peter.

When those who were standing around Him [Jesus] saw what was happening, they said, "Lord, should we strike them with our swords?"

And one [Peter] John 18:10 of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

Jesus said, "Stop! No more of this." Then He touched the servant’s ear and healed him. Luke 22:49-51

Here are some more thoughts on vulnerability --

Jesus said, "Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5

Paul wrote, Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

When you know that you're royalty because He has made you a king and a priest to God the Father, Revelation 1:6 it becomes easier to be vulnerable.

Knowing that the Father has put all things into Jesus' hands, John 13:3 and your life is hidden with Christ in God, Colossians 3:3 you can take a towel and wash another's feet. John 13:4-5

You would rarely do this literally, except in an annual "foot washing" service in a church meeting.

But you could do it figuratively and practically when you take the lowest place Luke 14:10-11 of a servant and do those tasks that you need divine love to carry out to help others. John 13:12-15

My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love. Galatians 5:13

But it is not this way among you; rather, whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant; and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:43-45

When we love unconditionally, we're vulnerable.

We can be misunderstood.

We love each person even when we know that their lives are stained with sin because we want to show compassion and pull them out of the fire. Jude vs.22-23

We become all things to all people so that by all means, we can be an instrument to rescue them through the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 4:15; 9:19-22

When we love even enemies of the cross of Christ Luke 6:27 and lend to them [allow them to borrow, not give to them], but at the same time hoping for nothing in return, we show that we're children of God the Father. Luke 6:35-36

He loves the unthankful and the evil. Matthew 5:45; Luke 6:35

To be vulnerable in His love, can this mean that we're taken advantage of?

It might seem that way in some situations.

Paul wrote that the sufferings of this time don't compare with the glory that will be revealed in believers. Romans 8:18

We may feel vulnerable in ourselves and maybe that's a good thing.

We do NOT trust in ourselves, but the Lord Who even raises the dead, if necessary. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Underneath His spiritual armor, Ephesians 6:10-17 we're to wear the undergarment of humility.

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

To live in His vulnerability, does NOT mean that we're victims.

Why not?

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. Psalm 34:15

When the Lord Jesus Christ was approached by a crowd with swords and clubs Matthew 26:27 on the night that He was betrayed, 1 Corinthians 11:23 and His disciples wanted to fight as mentioned earlier, Luke 22:49 what did He say?

"Surely you know I could ask My Father, and He would give Me more than twelve armies of angels. But it must happen this way to bring about what the Scriptures say." Matthew 26:53-54

The implied meaning was that these angels could have stopped the crowd from arresting Jesus.

But it was the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of the Father that arranged for this to happen. Acts 2:23

It was written in the Scriptures Luke 24:27, 44 that Jesus had to be vulnerable and suffer for humankind Isaiah 52:13-15; 53:1-6; Luke 24:26, 46 and rise again from the dead to make us right with the Father. Romans 4:25

Jesus washed us from our sins in His own blood. Revelation 1:5

The Bible verses are worth repeating --

People insulted Christ, but He did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but He did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him. 1 Peter 2:23

In His vulnerability for us, He humbled Himself and was obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8

Jesus said, "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it back. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. This commandment I received from My Father." John 10:17-18

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him [Jesus] and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Divine vulnerability, as we grow to walk in it, 2 Peter 3:18 will cause us, too, to win ultimately in the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14

Your thoughts?

R. Jason