Some say our Lord cannot possibly understand all we go through when beset with problems.  These people are wrong.  He does understand.

One of the many blessings the faithful Christian has is to avail him or herself to prayer.  It is there we can lay our burdens down knowing our Lord who suffered and died for man’s sins understands our hopes, our fears, our trials, and our burdens.  He knows for He too went through the very same thing and was without sin.  He is our Mediator between the Father and His faithful children.

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”     (Hebrews 4:15)

There is absolutely nothing in this life which our Lord did experience.  Our Lord lost Lazarus and was grieved at His heart.  We are tempted to do wrong.  So was Jesus   We may be betrayed, beaten, unloved, ridiculed, scorned, persecuted, denied, forsaken, forgotten, spoken against, and scoffed at.  So was Jesus.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”    (Romans 8:26)

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”     (I Timothy 2:5)

Jesus was prepared to deal with the unfair and hateful treatment of a wishy-washy, degenerate, traitorous people.  He knew all about them, their weaknesses, passions and prejudices.  He understood the cowardice of His friends and the hatred of His foes.  He knew the weakness of Peter and the treason of Judas.  Notwithstanding, He continued with His plans.  Every step took Him closer to a cross on which a bloodthirsty mob nailed Him.  Yet, He did not refuse His destiny in a terribly evil world.

But how did all of this affect His spirit and outlook?  His feelings remained the same.  He continued to pray and be thankful.  “The same night in which He was betrayed,” He prayed and gave thanks.  In the shadow of the cross He found there was much for which to be thankful.  In that trying hour, with death so close, He also spoke to the disciples about the future of the church.  He gave instructions about a memorial to Him.  Serenity and hope – not frustration and desperation – ruled His heart.  This feeling was based upon a knowledge of all the facts.

In contrast, our partial knowledge and incomplete faith may leave us with doubt and despair.  Good people often become disillusioned in their fellowmen and become down-hearted.  This presents a danger to their spirit and a threat to their future.  Thus for a victorious life, let us look to the Master.  He says, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”        ~ Leroy Brownlow

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”    (Hebrews 4:16)   KJV

Eileen Light