Perseverance Personified

James 1 tells us that we should see trials as opportunities rather than inconveniences. And who better to teach us about them than Jesus!

But if you’re anything like me, the first question you have is; what is perseverance?

Perseverance is when an individual “persists in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.”

So here’s three examples of Christ putting perseverance in action.

1. The wilderness: Matthew 4 does not hold back when it comes to temptation. Jesus’ intention was clear- he reclined away from distraction for the purpose of hearing from God. But we shouldn’t be surprised at that exact moment the devil decided to step in. But how does Jesus’ response to distraction encourage you to persevere?

That’s for YOU to read more!

2. People: Jesus was not immune to criticism. In fact, the pharisees were so insecure in their own identities, they mistook anointing for birth right & rebuke for correction. Don’t believe me? Check out Luke 6. But that’s not the only interaction with people where Jesus shows us perseverance. Take Gethsemane for instance. At Jesus’ lowest & most vulnerable point he gave his closet friends one simple instruction; “Pray with me.”

What happened next provides us with two lessons:
Firstly, how Jesus responds and how we should be patient and persevere with others.  

Even in his frustration Christ still chose to go to the cross for his friends who forsook Him. Imagine what that means for us?

3. Sacrifice: Matthew 27 (the ultimate sacrifice). You’d think this example is pretty self-explanatory but is it? Have you fully allowed yourself to understand the magnitude of Jesus’ death, life & resurrection?

I encourage you as you read Matthew 27 (MSG version) that you sit and reflect what it was like for Jesus to be spat on, kicked, punched, nailed for “some fun” and that was the beginning. Death was yet to come.

Now tell me this friends… are you ready to persevere? Are you ready to pick up your cross this Easter not because you have to, but because you get to? And as you do, take a moment to remember the weight of the cross.

Thanks, Ellie.