The Power of Paradox

I love this quote from James S. Stewart, considered by some to be among the finest preachers of the twentieth century. Born in 1896 and died in 1990, he taught New Testament Language, Literature and Theology at the University of Edinburgh (New College). He also served as Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland and as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He authored a number of books, including Heralds of God, The Strong Name, and A Man in Christ. I have heard Ravi Zacharias use this quote in several of his sermons.

In his book The Strong Name, Stewart speaks of Christ with words that touch upon some of the many paradoxes of Jesus himself, and thus, the paradoxes of the Christian life. They are, at once, both powerful and personal: "He was the meekest and lowliest of all the sons of men, yet he spoke of coming on the clouds of heaven with the glory of God. He was so austere that evil spirits and demons cried out in terror at his coming yet He was so genial and winsome and approachable that the children loved to play with Him and the little ones nestled in His arms. No one was half so kind or compassionate to sinners yet no one ever spoke such red-hot scorching words about sin… His whole life was love. Yet on one occasion he demanded of the Pharisees how they ever expected to escape the damnation of hell… He saved others but at the last, Himself He did not save. There is nothing in history like the union of contrasts which confront us in the Gospels. The mystery of Jesus is the mystery of divine personality."