The Power of Problems

The most intense contemplation on the very heart and center of the Christian faith, the passion, is the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The goal and purpose of all four Gospels---Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John is the proclamation of the passion of Christ. Each of them are passion accounts with extended introductions. As such the Word of God before us today addresses every sin, every issue, every situation, and every human being in every vocation or station in life. While the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the answer to the most fundamental need of deliverance from sin and death, the passion of Christ in His suffering can also provide inspiration for the Christian in handling ourselves in our own problems and sufferings. That inspiration and instruction happens as we keep our eyes fixed not on ourselves but on Jesus Christ.