During the Klondike Gold Rush, prospectors carved 1,500 steps into the mountain ice in Skagway, Alaska. They called it the Golden Staircase. Every day men and women from around the world climbed it, lugging a year’s worth of supplies by foot. They fought through avalanches, blizzards and wolves for a chance to strike it rich and change their lives forever. But what they went through is nothing compared to what our Triune God endured to pursue what he valued most: the salvation of humanity.

Our Creator entered our world and endured the pain and hardship of a human life. He was betrayed by friends, suffered an excruciating death and rose again to bring us back into communion with our Father. But he did all these things with joy. See how the author of Hebrews reminds us: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV).

Christ was able to undertake the work of salvation with that joy because he knew why he was doing it: so that by his death, all of humanity could partake in his resurrection life. Paul writes: “Since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:21-22 NIV).

Those men and women who risked their lives on the Golden Staircase so long ago did it all for what they thought was most valuable – gold. When they found it, they’d shout out “Eureka!” Our Lord overcame evil itself, joyfully enduring all suffering until our redemption was accomplished. He did it all so that we could partake in his redeemed humanity. Realizing that makes me want to shout “Eureka!” – because knowing our salvation is assured in Christ is more valuable than any Klondike gold.

I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.