Dear Faith Family,
One thing the Lenten road and rhythms remind us is that the way of Jesus is not always the choice path. Every life winds through trials, pains, and losses, yet there is an acute squeezing, what our scriptures term "tribulation," that accompanies a life of faith lived. To choose to live a life loyal to the person and purposes of Jesus compresses, narrows down at least some of the options for how we go about our daily roles and responsibilities. I think you know this intuitively, even if, like me, you at times push back on the tightening.
While not novel, such revelation does hit us rather squarely, especially in Jesus' words to the faith-filled family of Smyrna. Here, in Revelation 2:8-11, Jesus speaks to a people whose choice to live by faith, loyal to Jesus' person and his purposes despite the opposition and options, has them at their end, their lives (physically, economically, emotionally, socially, spiritually) all but squeezed out. No wonder Jesus has to exhort them to "not fear" (v. 10). Wouldn't you be fearful in such a place? Afraid that you have nothing more to be squeezed out, afraid that you won't make it through the next tribulation, afraid that you made the wrong choice in faith, afraid that life is more like a long death than an abundant forever.
It's here, at their (our) most desperate and vulnerable, we want Jesus to comfort us, to tell us we'll be okay, and more so, to make the squeezing stop. And he does! It's just not in the way we're expecting. Listen to what Jesus says,
Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
Behold the devil is about to throw some of you into prison,
that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
(Revelation 2:10)
As we mentioned on Sunday, Jesus' comfort arrives through acknowledgment that there is more squeezing to come, though it is not forever or without purpose. What comes out of this tribulation is what is proven (tested) to be already true: that they are faithful. All they have to do, is let their faith lead to death, to the end of what they fear, so they might experience the "blessed-ness" of what is already His: the crown of life. After all, isn't this what Jesus has always said to be the true way to life:
Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
(John 5:24)
Here, at the midpoint of Lent's journey, we've arrived at a revelation that requires a response before continuing. Today, in the quiet of morning coffee and reflection or in conversation with gospel community, consider these questions in light of the words of Jesus:
Will I let faith lead me to death?
What fears need to die, to be passed through in order to live (richly) with Jesus?
As you do, remember my friends, that...
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus...
We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise...
even when we’re hemmed in with troubles,
because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.
(Romans 5:1-4)
Love you, faith family! God bless.