In contrast with the verdict of history and the world, the Lord calls us to follow his Son into obscurity and foolishness. A theology of the cross instead of a theology of glory. Generally, we all want to be seen as winners, or at the very least be involved with winners. We want to know that what we are doing is making a difference and transforming the world. We want to be part of a movement that is praised by society. But that is not the road marked out for followers of Jesus, certainly not in this life. In this life we are pilgrims—pilgrims who measure success according to God’s standards and not those of the world.

As evidence, consider Jesus. In the eyes of the world, his life was a real tragedy. A bright young man, a gifted teacher, dead before his time. What a waste. If only he had seen to reason and was not so hasty in condemning the Pharisees. If he had worked with them he could have brought more transformation, he could have made a bigger difference in his society. Instead, he hung on the cross. Alone and discredited, naked and ashamed. A sad end to a promising life. That is the verdict of history, but the verdict of God is different. His Son was faithful to the end. Faithful to that covenant made before time, the covenant of redemption in which the Son committed to take on flesh that he might atone for the sins of God’s people and meet the demands of the law on their behalf. That is what Jesus came to do.

Throughout his time on earth, there were many people who mocked and questioned his choices. Family and friends, they all thought he was mad at some point. Mad because he put faithfulness to God before earthly comfort. Mad because he did not lie or steal to advance his aims. Mad because he made decisions based on what God had promised. Mad because he did not use his feelings or circumstances as excuses for self-indulgence. Mad because he set his hope on resurrection and glory in the world to come. From the world’s perspective, the life and death of Jesus was foolish. He was a failure. In the sight of God, however, he was a success. A success because he was faithful to the end. A success because he walked by faith and not by sight.

In the Lord’s Supper, God our Father reminds us of these truths. When we eat of the bread and drink from the wine, we commune with the body and blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16) and we remember that God’s verdict on our sins has already been pronounced. The death that we deserve has been paid. The faithful One has died for our sins. His body has been broken; his blood has been spilt. The same sin will not be punished twice. And what’s more, we not only proclaim the death of Jesus as we remember his atoning sacrifice, but we also proclaim that he will come again (1 Corinthians 11:26). There will be a day when Christ returns in glory, a day when faith will be sight, when we will feast with God in the new creation—a feast which we can join because the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us. The perfect life he lived credited to our account. The faithfulness of the Son guaranteeing our place in God’s presence.

For Christians, our best is yet to come. Have you ever considered that that is what we say to each other when we celebrate the Holy Communion? Now we experience suffering and hardship. Now there is rejection and foolishness. Now there are many questions about God’s providence and his guiding hand—but then it will be glory. Then it will be unthinkable joy. Then it will be life as it was always meant to be. The judgment of history is not as significant as the judgment of God. The Lord determines what makes a successful life. His verdict is what matters and, in Christ, he has pronounced you to be justified in his sight. If you are a Christian, your life is already a success. You can look forward to a future in glory.

Whilst we wait for Christ’s return, we must learn to live in the light of future realities, let God’s Word shape our thoughts and desires, and let eternal realities dictate our thoughts of success. It is great when our children are top achievers at school and university, but it is more important for them to know and fear the Lord. It is great when you have a job that matches your dreams and makes best use of your talents, but it is more important to meet with God and his people. Career success must not get in the way of worship.