We embrace the suffering of Jesus, allowing him to lead us through our assigned adversity, strengthening in love and service, or
We sit upon perches of Pharisaic self-righteousness, waiting on God to match himself to our expectations.These camps have action running in opposite directions:
To enter adversity with Jesus is to run to him and hold on for dear life.
To expect Jesus to prove himself is to hold dear our own life, entering the big chill of his rejection.Jesus spells out these two camps in Matthew 16:
Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how.
Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them. He told them, "You have a saying that goes, 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.' You find it easy enough to forecast the weather--why can't you read the signs of the times? An evil and wanton generation is always looking for signs. The only sign you'll get is a Jonah sign." Then he turned on his heel and walked away.One camp has Jesus leading; the other has no Jesus at all.
Adversity has in it the warmth of Jesus. Life birthed through suffering.
A strange and daring concept.
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