More Than: The Whole World

Spiritual growth isn’t linear. We don’t always progress the way we hope or expect. Today, we have two examples of human spiritual frailty in Peter and Jeremiah. Both men knew their Lord and lived their faith. But as they encountered the cross, they blinked and bellyached. Why should God’s servants struggle and suffer? Why is the cross necessary? This is the great mystery of the Christian life. To our way of thinking, the cross is objectionable and offensive. But look at what God does for us through the cross! God’s own Son has redeemed us through his suffering and death. His cross is the source and symbol of our redemption. And we have been given one to match his, too. Our cross does not save us, but it does develop our Christian character. Our cross feels like a grievous loss. We sacrifice time, talents, and treasures—our very selves—to serve the God who saved us. But what we lose in this life is nothing compared to what awaits us in heaven. So we take up our crosses with hope, knowing what God achieves through suffering is eternally glorious.