Peter took [Jesus] aside and began to rebuke Him. — Mark 8:32
Sometimes the gospel is discordant to human ears. We would all like to hear a gospel that promises us Cadillacs, mansions, and oodles of servants to pamper us day and night. But instead there is a streak of suffering that goes through the story of the redeemed.
Nobody likes that. Job’s friends didn’t like it; it messed with their theology. Peter didn’t like it. We don’t like it either.
We all wonder why. And "Why?" is such a big question that most of the answer doesn’t fit inside a single lifetime. But here’s the beginning of the answer. Because Jesus suffered, none of us suffers alone. When I hear about those who have suffered terribly, I secretly hope that God has given them some special toughness so the pain and grief won’t bother them like it would bother me. But then I realize that Jesus didn’t have have any special toughness. He drank the whole cup.
If it were within my power, I would take the suffering out of your life and out of mine. I pray that God will do just that. But while we wait for the answer, we take the hand of the Man who understands.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
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Visit DwightClough.com for more information. Dwight and his wife Kim are active members of Lake City Church in Madison.