Life is hard. We don’t like hearing it, but it’s true. Looking for the easy way is normal. Even in how things are sold to us, the marketing pitch is all about ease and convenience. I’m so thankful that Jesus is direct. There’s no sales pitch coming from Him. In fact, He gives us full disclosure. He tells us that if we follow Him we can expect difficulty and persecution. So what’s good about that? He has the keys. (Revelation 1:18)
There are no ploys, distractions or false promises from God. So how can you delight in the journey without getting consumed by the pain? Don’t focus on the trials, they’re not the end of the story. Interrupting the whole story is like fixing our gaze exclusively on the cross and ignoring the resurrection. The best part of our Savior’s crucifixion is the EMPTY tomb that He left behind. He took the keys.
Maybe right now you’re discouraged because you’ve lost a job. Perhaps you’re facing medical uncertainties and your body isn’t working like it should. It could be that you’re watching your spouse reject God’s design for your marriage. These are all times at the cross. It’s horrific as a our dreams crumble. Uncertainty creeps in and we’re flooded by fear and anger. I have to imagine that Mary felt betrayal, anguish, and loss of control as she watched her son die. It was her cross too, but it didn’t end there. Jesus went to the grave to get the keys.
Remember Christian, God has not finished your story yet. When you’re at the cross of your life, remember the resurrection. It is His narrow gate that leads to eternal life. The wide gate is easy now, but it leads to destruction. Be one of the few who chooses to focus on life. Live in the power of the resurrection of Jesus rather than focusing on the death surrounding you. Rest in knowing that your Savior hasn’t lost the keys, that’s the best part of the story.
- (Matthew 16:24 NLT) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”
- (Matthew 7:13 NKJV) “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.“
- (Matthew 28:5-6 NKJV) “But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
- (Revelation 1:18 NKJV) “I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
- (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
- (2 Timothy 2:3-4NKJV) “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
