01/23/2018
From the house of David comes the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. He wasn’t made new from the dust as a more perfect model of man, no, and he didn’t come from heaven as a perfected being... He was every bit a man, and yet God as well. He knows what we feel, and the troubles that face us; after all He was tempted as we are and faced each of our human trials. This makes Jesus our perfect comforter, and lamb of sacrifice... He was chosen from the people.
“Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: "I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.”
Psalms 89:19-21 ESV
Every parent that has ever raised a child has at some point in their rearing heard these words: “You don’t know what I’m going through; you don’t understand!” They might not express this thought in precisely this way, but they will certainly say it. In our upbringing we all like to think that we are unique, and that the troubles we are wrestling with are new to us, and that what we are feeling is new to all of mankind... but this is not true. Bullying might take on many different forms, or coats, but underneath is the same basic ruthlessness and selfishness. Parents know each of our hardships because they have faced these things in life... they were just like their children, and they reflect Jesus in this way.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15 ESV
Jesus is just like us, and He has faced all the trials and tribulations we have. He was tempted, hungry, happy, sad, outcast, heartbroken, lied to, and in the end beaten, crucified, and died. There is nothing in our lives that we can talk to Him about that He will not understand firsthand, and yet we are just like our children, and often refuse to go to Him because, after all, “He couldn’t possibly understand what I am going through.”, or, “it would embarrass me.” Jesus couldn’t bear the burdens of another without knowing that burden Himself, so by His understanding He shares our load... and our joys.
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.”
Galatians 6:2-3, 6 ESV
When one of my children is hurting, I feel the pain too, and the same is true of Christ. Jesus feels our pain, suffering, and our illnesses. We can discuss our sickness and pain with Him and find understanding. We can tell Him about our innermost and darkest secrets... the ones that cause us to blush and feel shame, and yet they are not shocking to Him. Whatever it is that we feel is unique to us, He already understands, and can help us through them by sharing the load of them with us.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15 KJV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus in all His humanity to redeem us. Thank you for His temptations and all the other trials of man that He endured as we do. Thank you for showing us in a very real way that there is nothing we experience that is beyond your understanding, or your ability to forgive. Help us Holy Father to share all things with you in prayer, and to know that you will lift us over these obstacles and beyond our wounds. When Satan lies to me Lord, and attempts to convince me that my sins are too great, too painful, too embarrassing, or too disgusting, to reveal to anyone... even you; help me to look to Jesus and see that nothing I have done is new to His eyes, or hearing, and that His love for me allows Him to shoulder even my darkest load, and to lead me into your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Great are you my God, and Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who has straightened the road to redemption! Praised be your name forever and without end is your love and glory!
Rich Forbes