I do this so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, in the hope that in some way I may arrive at the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:10–11, EHV
To know Christ is to know suffering. Christ didn’t live a life of comfort and ease, but as He walked with us Jesus knew the hardships of life. We don’t know what happened to His earthly father, Joseph, but we know He took on the work of a carpenter. He knew hunger and loss. He felt pain and, in the end, suffered greatly on the cross, not only bearing the burden of the cross but all of humanity's sin. As we walk in faith, we suffer too. There is loss and rejection. Friends and those whom we love may not take the journey of faith with us. We can’t force anyone to believe in Jesus or trust in Him, but we are given the gift to pray for them, just as Jesus did. We cannot judge eternity for anyone but can only trust in the promise of the resurrection given to us in the waters of Baptism. We can only know the transformation of our souls as we are being conformed into the faith of Jesus Christ. Eternity is not for us to obtain but is only received through faith as a gift. It is through Christ and Christ alone we can find peace in the promises that He has given to us and we are confronted with His suffering for us.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.
Please subscribe to my newsletter to receive this in your email inbox every day and follow my channel on Rumble. Feel free to share!