HEBREWS - What A Friend

"You just don't understand!"

I don't know how many times I've said that to someone, or thought it in my heart.

We each have our own uniquely individual *take* on life – and we perceive the circumstances that we experience through distinctly "me-colored" glasses.

And yet, there is something deep in our souls that desperately wants to be understood. We want to be known. We want someone to *get* us.

There is a Native American saying:

"Don't judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins."

Of course, the saying is an admonition against judging other people. But underlying that sentiment is the unspoken thought – that the person in the moccasins wants his life to be understood.

So, take the deep-seated need to be understood, coupled with a paltry few people in life that ever really *get* it – and you’ve got the formula for some really lonely people.

There's a cure.

Or, more accurately, I might say that there is The Cure.

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" is such a lovely reminder of the One who truly cares:

"We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested." (Hebrews 2:16-18)

I think this is one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture, on so many levels.

So, let's break it down.

First of all, Jesus did not come to earth to help the angels. They did not need redemption. His creatures – His human creatures – did. The one and only reason that Jesus came to earth was to die. And He came to die for us. We were the lost sheep, the ones who had strayed so far from the Truth. We were the hopeless ones, estranged and separated from God. We were the descendants of Abraham – the ones who desperately needed a Messiah.

Second, Jesus was made in every respect like us. That means He was human in every sense of the word. He got tired, and hungry, and probably even sick once in a while. He felt human emotions, and thought human thoughts. Though He may not have walked in our moccasins – He most certainly logged many, many miles in our sandals!

Third, God deemed it necessary for Jesus to be like us. It wasn't just a convenient way for Him to relate to us. It was crucial. The verses preceding today's passage explain why:"Because God’s children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying." (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Fourth, Jesus became our High Priest. In the Old Testament, the high priest was the mediator between God and His people. His job was to offer sacrifices and to intercede with God for forgiveness of their sins. Now, Jesus came to once and for all pay the penalty.

Merciful because He knew our weakness, and He knew our need.

Merciful because He knew we had no hope without Him.

Faithful because He never wavered from His message or His purpose.

Faithful because He did what He came to do.

Finally, our verses today end with a great promise.

He is able to help us.

Why?

Because He understands us – completely. He has seen the world through "human-colored" glasses. He knows how we think and feel. He knows how our bodies function. He really and truly *gets* us.

He faced struggles and suffering and temptation. He is the One who overcame it all.

"You just don't understand!"

We might be able to say that to any number of people, but never to Jesus. He is the only person who fully understands us – and knows us better than we know ourselves.

He is our High Priest, who intercedes for us at the throne of God.

"Who then will condemn us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us." (Romans 8:34)

It might go something like this:

"Father, see Sharon? Can we talk? You see, I understand what she's going through…"

Won't you join me today in celebrating the very Good News that we have a Savior who understands us – thoroughly, inside and out – and who loves us with an everlasting love!

We have a Friend.

What a friend we have in Jesus,


All our sins and griefs to bear!


What a privilege to carry


Everything to God in prayer!


Oh, what peace we often forfeit,


Oh, what needless pain we bear,


All because we do not carry


Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?


Is there trouble anywhere?


We should never be discouraged,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.


Can we find a friend so faithful,


Who will all our sorrows share?


Jesus knows our every weakness;


Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,


Cumbered with a load of care?


Precious Savior, still our refuge,


Take it to the Lord in prayer.


In His arms He'll take and shield thee – Thou wilt find a solace there.

(Sidenote: Unbeknownst to me ahead of time, this was the first song sung at my aunt's memorial service yesterday. Evidently, it was one of her favorites. God just winked at me again - and I felt my aunt smile!)

(Linked today with Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Soaking On SONday. Please feel free to hop on over to my other blog during the week - Sharon Sharing God)

"When in doubt, search God out!"