08/21/2020
A few years ago I was reading a morning devotional written by E.M. Bounds, and preparing for prayer. The subject was the absolute perfection of Christ and the compassion which leads Him to intercede for us. The accompanying verse was Hebrews 4:15.
“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
E.M. Bounds went on to say "Moreover, if He is filled with such compassion that it moves Him at the Father's right hand to intercede for us, then in everything we should have the same compassion on others and pray for them regularly."
I am led to think about a couple of things this morning. First is that the trials and temptations I have faced in my life give me a perspective into those of others that empowers me in prayer. Who better to pray for an addict than someone whose life has been touched by addiction? Who better to pray for healing than someone who has been healed? Who better to pray for mercy than someone who was themselves shown mercy?
The second thought impressed upon me is the temptation of Christ. I have always felt that Satan never really had a chance as he placed temptation after temptation before Jesus. Then, in my life, I beat myself up for even considering or entertaining thoughts regarding certain sins... But today I fully realized for the first time that not considering sin isn't temptation. Temptation is feeling the powerful pull of sin, having it run through your mind and woo you, considering the act and coming to the point of committing it.... overcoming that temptation and resisting it is being triumphant over sin. Jesus was tempted and overcame sin.
I have heard sermons preached that advanced the idea that if one even thought about sin then a sin was committed, but that can't be true because it removes the temptation of Christ. Without that temptation He would not have been a man, and without His overcoming it, He would not have shown us the path to righteousness, holiness, and perfection. He would have been God in human form but not the substance and frailty of true humanity.
So as I think about my Lord and His intercession for me before the Father, it overpowers me to realize His understanding of my plight and those times when the temptation of sin has won out over me. It humbles me further to know that even in His realization of my failing He has such compassion and love for me... perhaps that compassion was nurtured in the very arms of His own temptation; with His humanity giving him a complete understanding and compassion for us and our brokenness.
Prayer:
Thank you Father for your Son Jesus, and thank you Lord Jesus for your love, your intercession, and your compassion. I thank you for finding me worthy of your suffering. I thank you for my redemption; despite the imperfect human condition I embody. Give me the compassion for others that you have shown me. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you Lord God our Father who placed the undying spirit of your Son into the corrupted, and dying body of a man. Praised be your name for such love Father. Great is your compassion that you would allow your Son to take on the sins of the world, and die that He might conquer death... all of this for mankind. Help me Father to accept this gift of grace in all of its fullness so that I can live in your house forever, and worship you with every ounce of my being.
Rich Forbes