Faith in Jesus Christ requires humility and reservation, which are not always traits that I possess.
As we go about life, we witness many around us who appear to “get ahead” without sacrifice. Perhaps their business ventures take off with grand results. Perhaps their family goes on lavish vacations. Perhaps their social media posts profess happy times without what appears to be much sacrifice. Every time you hear from them, their kids are going to great colleges and schools, their spouse just got promoted, and they just finished remodeling or buying a new home. Life is good for them no matter what happens.
On the contrary, you struggle. Your life seems to take two steps forward and one step back. You do the right things. You pray the “right” prayers. You are kind and non-judgmental. You tithe or give back to your church, charities, or those around you in need. You do not wish for material things, but you don’t seem to accomplish or succeed at advancing comfort or solace in your life. You lost your job. Your family member is sick. Your children are struggling, and you cannot seem to get a break in your life.
Or worse yet, you see people perform terrible acts and seemingly never suffer the consequences. A criminal is acquitted of a crime. A thief gets away with taking valuable items. A murderer is never caught or forced to “pay the price” of their crime.
Where is justice for the believers? Why are the trials and struggles a part of the lives of true believers in Jesus Christ? Shouldn’t the “bad people” and the sinners suffer on earth?
True belief and faith require us to give all of our trials and tribulations to God. Our Lord says in Psalms 75 titled “Thanksgiving for God’s Righteous Judgement” says the following:
4“I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully, And to the wicked, Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn high; Do not speak with a stiff neck.’”
Scripture tells us that our reward for faith and loyalty to our God do not come on earth. No matter the sacrifice and cost of our time on earth, our true reward will come in heaven when we stand before our Lord and hopefully hear, “well done, true and faithful servant.”
As an example of the ultimate humility and sacrifice, Jesus came to earth and lived His life as a man. He endured pain, heartbreak, temptation, ridicule, betrayal, lies, and ultimately, He was put to death for no viable reason. I ask you, does our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ understand our trials and sacrifices? Can he relate to our hateful co-workers, negative neighbors, and spiteful relatives who always seems to outdo us?
As we approach Easter, let us recognize the significant and meaningful turn of events Jesus endured the week of His death. On Palm Sunday (yesterday), He came to Jerusalem with the Jews waving palms and throwing their cloaks on the ground as he entered the city. Four days later, the same Jews were screaming, spitting, and hitting Him asking for Him to be killed. Yes, our Lord, knows what it feels like to be betrayed and the “bad people” get away with “bad things.”
Let us study the Easter story this week and hear the counsel of Jesus as he prepares us for the greatest, most unselfish sacrifice of any human, ever known to mankind. Our Lord sacrificed every ounce of His being so that you and I don’t have to suffer, for eternity.
