Matthew 16:21

Like many other congregations, we follow the new common lectionary when choosing the scriptures for each weekend. So often I am just amazed at how timely these texts are when they come to life for us on a Sunday morning. This Sunday was such a moment. The sermon just flowed for me and spoke so clearly to me – so I decided that I would use this Sunday’s sermon for our devotions this week.



As many of you know, I am the father of two children. My son is 15 years old, in his sophomore year of high school. My daughter is 19 years old and will begin her sophomore year in college in September. I love my kids. I would die for my kids as you would for yours. I believe that the love we have for our children was planted in us by God.



God knows that parenting is hard – love makes it possible. And God also knows that parents are big kids too – parenting helps us grow up as much as we help our kids grow up.



Now here’s what I want for my kids: I want them to be safe, to be happy, to make good decisions, to stay away from the wrong crowd. I want them to grow into the gifts that God has given them and to lead deeply rewarding lives. I don’t want them to ever die…but if it has to happen, I want it to happen when they are very very old, still very very healthy, and I want it to happen quickly and painlessly.



That’s what I want for them. I don’t ever want them to hurt or to struggle or to suffer. I want them to be OK every day of their lives.



But here is what I know: It ain’t gonna happen.



As much as I love them, life isn’t going to be any easier for them than it is for any of us. They are going to get hurt like we all get hurt. They are going to make mistakes like we all make mistakes. They are going to suffer like we all have to suffer. Sometimes they will suffer because of what goes on around them; sometimes they will suffer because of what goes on inside of them.



But what I know about life tells me that suffering is inevitable.



Even for Jesus, God’s own beloved Son, suffering would be inevitable. As much as God loved him, God’s purposes for Jesus’ life would lead him to AND through suffering.



Now that is a very important line so I’m going to say it again: As much as God loved him, God’s purposes for Jesus’ life would lead him to AND through suffering.



Let us pray: Dear Jesus, as much as we hate to admit it, we always want the easy road, the peaceful road. Yet suffering comes our way. And every time it does, it calls everything into question. We question your purpose, your presence and your power. Yet who are we to question you, for you died under the weight of a world of sin. So we pray that you sustain us when life weighs in upon us with the assurance that suffering is not a sign that you’ve left us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Used with Permission