by Ptr. Jhun Valeroso
Reading for the day: John 19:28-30
He had a sleepless night. He faced one judgment court after another. Received forty whips, minus one. Carried a cross made up of solid wood heavier than He weighed. Dropped a few times on His way up the Mountain of Skulls. Pierced, nailed, and displayed in public humiliation under the scorching heat of the midday sun. Eventually, He died and His death did not come in an instant. It was a slow and painful death brought about by extreme punishment, blood loss, exhaustion, and dehydration.
Despite all these, He never backed down. He conquered Golgotha. He conquered death. He showed the glory of His Father. His name is Jesus.
Jesus’ Death Paved the Way for Man’s Salvation
From a worldly perspective, the Crucifixion of Jesus at the top of Mount Golgotha was a moment of defeat and shame but in the eyes of heaven, it was a moment of victory because it paved the way to man’s salvation.
We, Christians always find comfort in the belief that suffering is the trail to glory. Jesus himself acknowledged that adversity is part of life but he made an assurance to the believers that we can always find peace in Him and in fact, He Himself is the Prince of Peace.
When Jesus sent forth His disciples, He told them that they must expect trials. This was clearly stated in John 16:33.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
He did not promise that He will remove hardship in our lives. God doesn’t take us out from adversity but He helps us get through it. His words are clear: we will have troubles but He gave us the assurance that He will give us the victory.
Jesus knew that His glorification would come through His suffering. His sacrifice on the cross would not only redeem humanity but also reveal the depths of God’s love and power.
God’s glory shines in the darkest moments
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed – 1 Peter 1:7
God uses adversity to shape us, His believers. The more we suffer, the greater is the chance to reflect the character of Christ and bringing about His glory. With every trial that come our way, it will make us more dependent on the power of God and His word. Adversity is a way of God to make us more steadfast, perfect, and ready for greater works.
The Church, which is the body of Christ is called not only to endure these persecutions and hardships but also to reflect the glory of God through them. The growth of character and faith that emerges from difficult times is a testimony of God’s work in the life of each believer and the Church as a whole.
The Church is not exempt from the trials of the world. In fact, the very existence of the Church, as a living testimony of Jesus Christ, often invites opposition. Yet it is through these challenges that the Church finds its true calling: to reflect God’s glory, not by avoiding pain, but by persevering through it.
We all experience adversity in our lives. No matter how steep or heavy it is but one thing for sure, the Christ who promised us that He will never leave nor forsake us is the same Christ who conquered death on the Mountain of Skulls.
From early disciples, Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul to end-time sent-ones, Apostle Arsenio and Apostle Jonathan, and to every modern-day believer facing persecution, each life is a testament that the glory of God shines in the darkest moments.
Reflection: Has there been a time in your life when you were in an adversity and you saw God’s great help? Did it make your faith grow even more?
Leave a Reply