Watching Daily At Wisdom's Gates

 1 John 3:16 ESV By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  What is love? If someone dies for you, you know they probably love you. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. If Jesus loves us to death, we should be prepared to die for our brethren. Moses told us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Jesus defined our neighbours as everyone we come across in life. Christ raises the bar even higher than Moses. He commands us to love one another as he has loved us. We're to love each other to death if need be. As John Bunyan said, we're spiritually lame. The law commands us to walk but provides no legs. Grace calls us to fly and gives us wings. 'Loving Lord, may we love you as you have loved us. For your glory, amen'.

 Isaiah 53:5 ESV But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. If this verse meant we will never get sick or will always be healed physically, it wouldn't ring true. We all eventually face death. The Bible is a spiritual book, not a doctor's manual. By Jesus's wounds we are healed of our spiritual sin sickness. We might still have symptoms. Yet we're not going to die in our sins if we trust on Jesus. We deserve to be cursed for our sinfulness. Christ took that upon himself on the cross. He went through that for us. The Father didn't twist the Son's arm to save us. He willingly died for us. We are to thankfully live for him. 'O Lord, please heal us of our spiritual sin sickness, and bring us safe home to you in glory. For your honour we ask this, amen'.

 John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus wants to give us peace. Nevertheless, he's realistic. He lets us know that troubles are inevitable in this life. We can be encouraged even in the midst of troubles. Suffering won't be the end of our stories. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in his Father's house. The Bible doesn't pretend everything will be okay if we trust in Jesus. It's a realistic book. Thankfully it's hopeful too. Christ has overcome the world. He's beaten our great enemy of death. Nothing can hold us down ultimately. 'Father in heaven, we praise you that your Son has overcome the world. Please give us peace in him in the midst of troubles. In his name we ask this, amen'.

 Hebrews 12:2 ESV looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus isn't sadistic. He didn't enjoy the cross. Yet he knew that beyond the cross would come his glorification. Christ isn't just a good example to us. He is the founder and perfecter of our faith. In him we have the victory. Inevitably we will have to bear our crosses if we follow Jesus. Yet we can look forward to glory to come. Suffering isn't the end of the story. Just as Jesus is now glorified, so shall we be, through faith in him. We will join him in eternity to come if we trust in him. 'Almighty Father, please help us to endure suffering as we look to Jesus, our Saviour and Lord, in whose name we pray, amen'.