2022_04_15 Insight Post- Emma Keeton

Today is Good Friday and Christians worldwide are gathering to remember the sacrifice Jesus made to pay for our sins. It’s a day of somber reflection. Jesus, the spotless lamb, took the weight of sin upon himself.

For all time.

For all humanity.

His suffering broke the powers of darkness in the world. However, when I read the news and look around, I sometimes wonder how this can be true. Did Jesus really conquer sin and death when I feel that the evidence is to the contrary?

The Thessalonians were no strangers to suffering. In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he commends them for their love for one another, for their endurance and faithfulness. When Paul writes to them again, recorded in second Thessalonians, the tone is different. The Thessalonians are undergoing persecutions and trials. Paul’s response to their troubles gets our attention:

“We ought to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trial you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgement is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

 The Thessalonians were experiencing a dimension to their faith that was producing something more fruitful than if everything was going easily for them. Their faith is growing, and the love between them is expanding. And more importantly, there are eternal implications for their suffering. They will be counted as God’s holy people and worthy of his kingdom.

In our lives, we don’t have to look too hard or wait too long for trials to come our way. In this world, we will have trouble (from John 16:33). But what is our response to our trials? If I am waiting for everything to be okay to be happy, then I have missed the point. I need Jesus to overhaul my thinking. Our joy is not found in a perfect life but in the here and now with Jesus as our king. Jesus is right there with us in our suffering and rewards us by growing our faith when we rely on him.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,”John 16:33

Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead