Week 7 in Review

That’s a wrap on week 7 of the reading challenge. Over the last week we’ve read twice about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, this was of course intentional as it was the week leading up to Easter! A portion of the reading that stuck out to me was when Jesus is speaking with the rich young ruler who was looking to gain eternal life in Mark 10.

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” - Mark 10:21

By all accounts this man had it all, good moral standing, wealth and power, he was living the American dream in the middle east. And yet Jesus said that he lacked, and what he lacked was, well frankly lack. So Jesus, because he loved him, tells him to go through the great hardship of selling everything he has and giving to the poor.

How many times do we look at hardships handed to us by our sovereign Lord and think to ourselves that we must have done something wrong, or that we’re being treated unfairly? But our sufferings are given to us by a wise, merciful and loving God who knows what we need better than we ever could. His priority for us is our eternal salvation not our temporary comfort. This light and momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory (2 Cor 4:17). Even if our entire lives are made up of affliction, our time spent on this earth is only but a grain of sand compared to eternity with God.

So brothers and sisters, let us view our troubles as they are, gifts from the Lord that enable us to die to sin and live in righteousness. For we know that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame. (Romans 5:3-5) For the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us! (Romans 8:18)

Have a great week, and suffer well!