From today’s reading...
Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that it is the same kind of suffering that the community of your brothers throughout the world is undergoing.” 1 Peter 5:9
Today in Mark 16, we see Jesus taken up into heaven, so you’d think it would be all unicorns and rainbows for the apostles and followers of Jesus since, you know, he had just done His thing, right? Right?
Alas, twas not to be.
Peter is in prison.
The devil is alive and well.
The community is suffering.
Why?
How can this be?
Jesus was walking among them, breaking bread, and breathing on them within the last 30 years since we know Peter was crucified for his faith around the year 64 AD.
How could things get so bad so soon after Jesus was here on earth?
Because things were always bad because we are weak and give in to temptations from the devil.
Our sinful ways are what creates suffering.
Jesus did not come to perform a magic trick.
He could’ve snapped His fingers from heaven and brought heaven to earth, but that’s not His desire.
That’s not part of His plan.
Jesus came to us to bring meaning to our suffering.
He came to show us how to walk the walk.
He came to invite us—like the groom to his bride, like a loving father to his timid, scared child—to take His hand and follow in His footsteps so we could participate in our own redemption with Him.
He came to show us how and why we need to...
Stay the course.
Keep the faith.
Endure.
Now go sell something.
