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Author: Dominic Perrem, from The Community of Nazareth in Dublin, Ireland.

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul writes, “If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him.” (2 Timothy 2:11-12)

Our lives are generally more comfortable than Paul’s or Timothy’s and more comfortable than the lives of the new Christians of Corinth. They had to put up with hatred from fellow Jews and attacks from Roman authorities. They were an illegal sect in the early centuries, they were expelled and so they’re gathering in secret catacombs. Perhaps we too will gather in secret soon and wonder, ‘Where is God?’ 

We must not forget that it is in his Resurrection that our lives are headed and that we meet him on the cross he gives us. This is what hope means: to live with him now. In sickness, in chains, in plenty—we long to be with him, not alone in our small kingdom. He is a true king, who asks us to walk with him, and then invites us to reign—he has taken on and redeemed our humanity in his own bodily resurrection! He invites us to join him. Paul reminds the new Christians that there is a hope and  a future, and it is real because of the resurrection. If He is Not Risen, we might as well worship Roman gods and seek our own pleasures. Take courage in Christ’s rising, because it means your life has a purpose! You are headed to be with him and your sacrifices are not in vain.

Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.