In this Good Friday Reflection Series, Kieren reflects on why the Cross is his greatest hope. Kieren shares about the reality and prevalence of disappointment around us, and how the Cross stands as the true undisappointing hope in a disappointing world. This Easter Sunday, let us meditate on what Christ has done for us and to grow ever deeper, nearer to the Cross of Jesus.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal – 2 Cor 4:16-18

Have you been really excited about a certain endeavor, only to have your excitement dashed by the less than optimal execution of this event? Have you studied really, like – really hard, only to get a grade that was not proportionate to the effort you put in? Have you committed a lot of time and energy to a group of friends you really treasure, only to be disappointed because they did not reciprocate?

What is common about the above 3 examples is that there was some reason for us to get all excited and hopeful, but something happened that led us to leave more disappointed than satisfied.

I think the reason many of us face such disappointments in life is because life has over promised and underdelivered. From grades, to relationships, to money, to marriage and even to serving in Church – we will all face moments of ‘losing heart’ because the world has been plagued by sin.

However, in the words of Paul, although our ‘outer self is wasting away’, where we time and again get hurt by the sin that fills the world, we remember there is an ‘eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison’.

We remember this world is not our home.

That is what I think the cross is about. It is the hope for us people so filled with and so affected by sin. If we only focus on this world, it is full of weariness. But however, if we ‘look not to the things that are seen but to the things are unseen’, if we look to the eternal and not the transient, our disappointments in life can be met with peace and satisfaction from the knowledge of our eternal dwelling.

The cross therefore, to me, is a reminder that this world is not all there is, and that I am not my own. If so, then I should not hold on too tightly to things that have the capacity to capture my affections. The cross frees me from holding on to the world, so that I can fully embrace Jesus. Because while eternity seems like an eternity away, I know Jesus is renewing my inner being day by day.  I know Jesus will be true to His Word and His promise of us being with Him and us being His people will one day be fulfilled. He will not disappoint because His Word has never failed, and His promise of redemption through the cross was accomplished. Therefore, the cross reminds me that I have hope, and that I am able to withstand whatever momentary affliction that comes my way.

The cross reminds me that this world is not my home.