Luther’s theology of the cross teaches us to look for God in the midst of suffering–not only the suffering of Christ on the cross but also the suffering of God’s children in this world. God meets us with a word of hope in the fire (Daniel 3), in brokenheartedness (Ps 34:18), and in death itself (Jonah 3). In these places we learn one of the most basic but crucial lessons of faith: to cry out for help to a God who is good and tenderhearted.