"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:15 & 16
Have you ever been so tired you feel like dropping while still in the harness? Ever been betrayed by a friend? Has your own family not believed in you or supported you? Have you ever felt lonely and abandoned by both God and man? Homeless? Hungry? Thirsty? Mocked and reviled by your own kind?
Perhaps you remember the commercial for Scrubbing Bubbles in which the cartoon bubble dude, before swirling down the bathtub drain, yells out, "We do all the work so you don't have tooooo....." This reminds me of all the work Christ did for us, so we don't have to.
While tempted in the desert, Jesus was powerfully hungry, having fasted for 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2). He had no place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20). His own brothers did not believe in him (John 7:5). In the Garden of Gethsemane, he was in such anguish that his sweat was like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). After being betrayed by a close friend (Matthew 26: 14-16), he was arrested and his disciples left his side (Matthew 26:56). Mocked and reviled by his own kind, he was scourged and humiliated, too tired to carry his cross through the streets of Jerusalem (Luke 23:26). Nailed on the cross as an innocent man, he was forsaken by God his Father (Matthew 27:46) before giving his all for sinners like us.
He could have called ten thousand angels anytime along the way to provide anything he needed, but he soldiered through to bring us the victory. Now we can "approach the throne of grace with confidence". Lean on the everlasting arms of a Savior that has experience. He has done all the work, so you don't have to.
No comments:
Post a Comment