English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus didn't have to be on the cross. He could have hopped off at any moment, leaving behind stunned guards and crowds. He could have skipped town beforehand, catching the next bus to Joppa, following Jonah's example. He could have disappeared in the midst of a crowd looking for him -- he'd slipped through a crowd before.
But he had such a vision and passion for saving the people from their sins that he was willing to endure the pain and agony and humiliation of the cross. He knew what the reward was, and so he endured the hardship.
We, too, are called to endure. We likely won't have to endure anything as horrific as the cross, but God sets before us a vision of the heavily kingdom, and as I mentioned yesterday, that should draw us forward. In stepping towards God's Kingdom, there will be some potholes along the way. We see the brokenness of humanity on full display in events that lay bare the racism that still exists in American society. We know the Kingdom of God is for all people of every nation and race and gender, but we're not there yet. We're moving towards it, and so we try to lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely. As Christians, we're called to lead society away from sins like racism, to be a part of the mending of society, to display selfless love for all people. We can endure because there is joy set within us, and that should give us the courage to speak truth where it needs to be spoken and to display love and grace where that is needed. Let us run with endurance, not giving up when the challenge seems too great, but staying the course, continuing to proclaim the truth of God's Kingdom for all people.
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