For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. Matthew 13:15.

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. John 12:32.

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25.

In our chapter, 2 Corinthians 12, Paul’s letter to Corinth becomes more personal. Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago – whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows – such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man – whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows – was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelation, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me – to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. v. 1-10. Sometimes it’s good just to sit with Scripture and let the peace of God settle deep within us. I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you; for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually…it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ…and all for your upbuilding, beloved. For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced. v. 11-21.

There was much in the church in Corinth that needed the heart of Paul to care and speak the truth of Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit….and all for your upbuilding, beloved. What about us? Impurity, immorality, sensuality, strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances? Do we see that in our world today and in ourselves to whatever degree? As I read the second Scripture verse cited before our chapter, I thought about the children of Israel who, in their hardened hearts, sinned against God and Moses. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among them and many died. When the bronze serpent was lifted up by God’s instruction, and the people looked at it, they lived (Numbers 21:4-9). They were one group of people. What about all of us? And I, if I am lifted up from the earth…will draw all peoples to Myself. Can we see what our sins do to us? Can we see why Jesus the Son came and taught us about the kingdom of God which is nothing like the kingdoms of men? Can we see that sins still abound today as they did in the church of Corinth? So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32. Why is that so important? Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly…I say to you…everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” John 8:34. The truth of God is what sets us free from the slavery of sin to learn from Him – and stirs our hearts to long for more of Him. We see, too, the truth of what sin does in us and in our world. And we long deeply for closeness with God He Himself brings. Jesus was lifted up on the Cross for us. We were not there for that event either. Can you imagine? Creator God was there. He is here still. Be with Him now in trust for our God is faithful and His Love endures forever. Amen and Amen!