Thanks for the cross and resurrection, but do you think I could have a little more?

Chapter 4-The Confident Pastor

I have a love/hate relationship with Jesus’ disciples. I love ’em because they’re just like me. I hate ’em because they’re just like me. All along they’re wanting the Romans physically overthrown and Jesus on a literal throne in Jerusalem, and all along Jesus is consistently telling them the kingdom of God isn’t like that. No swords or horses. Palm branches and donkeys. No ear chopping. Foot washing.

So he goes all the way to the cross, dies, and is buried. He resurrects three days later. And as he’s ascending into heaven, they’re asking, “So, um, do we get that kingdom of Israel now?” This is me. This is you.

“Gee, thanks for the cross and resurrection, Jesus, but do you think I could have a little more? Something for me?” p. 80-81

I believe that when life is going well we are not truly aware of how disconnected/independent we are from Jesus. We are doing fine on our own and Jesus is a nice add on to our life. But when trials come, and come they will, then our idols are exposed. How do we react when we lose a job? A friend? When things don’t go our way? In those hard moments we may find that Jesus has not been what we have been living for after all. We respond like the disciples , “thanks Jesus for the cross, but just so you know,  in order for me to be joyful I’m going to need a good paying job.” Does this make the trials and difficulties we experience a severe mercy? I’m thinking yes.