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Beautiful world Quote by Wendell Berry

“Christ did not descend from the cross except into the grave. And why not otherwise? Wouldn’t it have put fine comical expressions on the faces of the scribes and chief priests and the soldiers if at that moment He had come down in power and glory? Why didn’t He do it? Why hasn’t He done it at any…” quote by Wendell Berry
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““Christ did not descend from the cross except into the grave. And why not otherwise? Wouldn’t it have put fine comical expressions on the faces of the scribes and chief priests and the soldiers if at that moment He had come down in power and glory? Why didn’t He do it? Why hasn’t He done it at any one of a thousand good times between then and now? I knew the answer. I knew it a long time before I could admit it, for all the suffering of the world is in it. He didn’t, He hasn’t, because from the moment He did, He would be the absolute tyrant of the world and we would be His slaves. Even those who hated Him and hated one another and hated their own souls would have to believe in Him then. From that moment the possibility that we might be bound to Him and He to us and us to one another by love forever would be ended. And so, I thought, He must forebear to reveal His power and glory by presenting Himself as Himself, and must be present only in the ordinary miracle of the existence of His creatures. Those who wish to see Him must see Him in the poor, the hungry, the hurt, the wordless creatures, the groaning and travailing beautiful world.””

Wendell Berry

About This Quote

Source Book: The Gift of Good Land, Wendell Berry, 1979

Berry argues that Christ chose a humble, suffering existence over overt divine power to avoid becoming a tyrant and to keep love and humanity possible.

In simple terms: Christ stayed humble to let love and humanity

Key Takeaway

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Themes

Choose humility over domination.

Mood

contemplative somber

Type

theological philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • theology
  • existentialism
  • ethics

Key Concepts

humility spirituality love humanity sacrifice

Practical Applications

  • poverty relief
  • social justice
  • community building
  • personal reflection

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does humility preserve love?
  • What would a world look like if power ruled?
A Different Perspective

If power is displayed, it may crush freedom and love.

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