I want to know Christ

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Phil: 3:10-12

This has always seemed like a challenging scripture but it seems so right to look at it afresh this Easter in the middle of a pandemic.

Suffering challenges our faith…and yet it is also at the heart of our faith. Easter is a time to remember the suffering of Christ and all that he endured for us but here, the writer declares that he wants to share in that suffering…becoming like Jesus in his death.

I don’t imagine we can comprehend Christ’s suffering, not just the physical torment but also the weight of our sin on his shoulders. But at this time, many of us are suffering as never before.

We are not forgotten, far from it, but suffering is part of our walk with him and if we can run the race, endure and stand our ground, we will know his resurrection power. What an amazing promise.

We’re not perfect, we’re not there yet but let’s press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of us.

Father, please help us in this time to see you in the midst of all we’re facing. This Easter time, give us a fresh revelation of what Jesus has done for us and revive in us hope for all that is to come. Thank you that you are with us through it all. Give us courage to stand and hearts full of hope. Help us to sing in the middle of the storm because we know that you have defeated death.