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!"

LUKE - Giving All You've Got

I own a solid gold necklace. It is a beautiful piece of jewelry.

And it's heavy – literally!

The price of gold is currently around $1500 an ounce. So this necklace would definitely be, as they say, *worth its weight in gold!* It’s a treasure – and it would be quite a gift if I gave it away, wouldn't it?

Now what if I showed you two pennies – two tarnished, beat-up pennies? They've been sitting in a dish of spare change for who knows how long. They're not worth much. In fact, in today's economy, they're probably not even worth two cents!

Back in the day, they could buy something – a piece of candy or such. But now, the penny is so worthless, we don't even like having them rattling around in our pockets. Many stores have little trays where you can "take a penny, leave a penny." If you don't want your pennies with you, leave them.

So, giving away these two pennies wouldn’t be much of a gift, would it?

Today’s "Bible Pick ‘Ems" is a story about a woman who gave something away…

"While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 'I tell you the truth,' Jesus said, 'this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.'" (Luke 21:1-4)

Jesus was in the area of the Temple called the Court of Women. In this area were seven boxes in which worshipers could deposit the Temple tax and six boxes for freewill offerings.It appears that Jesus continued watching the giving for some time, and He observed a number of wealthy persons making gifts.

This woman gave a freewill offering of two mites. At the time, a mite was the smallest of copper coins, normally equal to just 1/8 of a cent! Though it might seem that her offering was small, her gift was a sacrifice, for it was all that she had.

Today, I'm not going to talk about financial giving – I'd like to expand the story beyond the issue of money.

The question I would like to pose is this – What are you giving to God of YOURSELF?

The issue here is not that the woman had given more as to value and substance – but that she had cast in more in proportion to what she had.

Her gift was counted as more by Christ, and more highly valued and esteemed by Him, because Jesus – the One who sees the heart, and knows all things – knew that she had given FROM HER HEART.

Yes, my friends, the Lord desires no greater gift than the gift of yourself. He is to be loved with all your powers and capabilities. He doesn't want offerings – He wants you to KNOW Him and to LOVE Him.

Mark 12:29 sums up this greatest gift: "The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength."

Jesus uses the poor widow's offering to teach an important lesson.

A gift is not to be evaluated by its size, but by a comparison of the gift with the total possessed by the giver.

In the secret, innermost part of your heart, have you laid your life on the altar? Have you presented everything you have to Him?

May God help us to be like this faithful woman as we give our hearts in His name.

(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!"

EPHESIANS - I Love A Parade

I was so excited.

I had stayed up all night, camped out on the street, and it was just moments before the beginning of…

The Tournament of Roses Parade!

This is a beautiful parade that happens every year on January 1st. And it's quite a spectacle to watch on TV. But, let me tell you, being there in person is another thing entirely!

It's hard to explain the excitement of the people, the sounds and smells, the beauty of the floats with their myriad rainbows of colorful seeds and flowers. I stayed out with a group from church just once in college. But I'm so glad that I did. It was memorable…

I was reminded of that beautiful morning because today is Palm Sunday. The day of Jesus' triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem.

Picture yourself there – surrounded by people from all walks of life. It was the beginning of Holy Week, and the roads into Jerusalem were thronging with pilgrims. Can you hear the many voices of the crowd – murmuring or laughing, talking excitedly among themselves? Are you jostled along with the animals, stopping here and there for a bite to eat? Can you see and smell the surrounding countryside?

Can you imagine the anticipation in the crowd when they heard that Jesus – whom many believed was the long-awaited Messiah, the Promised One who would deliver their nation – was arriving in the Holy City?

"Where is He?"

"He’s just up ahead."

"Is He coming this way?"

"YES!"

People scrambled for position (just like we did on that parade route) – trying to get the best vantage point to see – to see HIM!

He enters on a donkey – and people push and shove to throw their cloaks on the road ahead of Him. Palm branches are waved and strewn about in honor of the approaching King. Jesus was the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting:

"Praise God for the Son of David!

Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!

Praise God in highest heaven!"

It's one thing to read about it in the Bible – being there in person must have been another thing entirely!

And then – less than one week later – Jesus was hanging on a criminal’s cross.

Anticipation – then incredible, dashing hopelessness…

The anguished cry echoed in every heart – WHY?

Today's "Bible Pick ‘Ems" sheds light – because it tells us what the Light of the World did on that day:

"You lived in this world without God, and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall that separated us…Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross…Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us." (Ephesians 2:12-14, 16, 18)

The Prince of Peace arrived that day – not the conquering king, but the Suffering Servant.

The One who brought hope to all the peoples of the earth.

The One who still does…

"Look, your king is coming to you.

He is righteous and victorious,

Yet he is humble, riding on a donkey…

His realm will stretch from sea to sea and…to the ends of the earth."

(Zechariah 9:9-10)

Bless the One who comes in the name of the LORD!!

(Please join me at Spiritual Sundays with Charlotte and Ginger - and Super Sunday with Peggy. Also, please feel free to visit me during the week on my other blog, Sharon Sharing God!)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

HEBREWS - Our Hero!

I just love epic movies.

Ben Hur, Braveheart, Gladiator, The Lord of the Rings –

I like the idea of an unlikely hero – an underdog.

I am inspired by victory snatched out of the jaws of defeat.

I sit on the edge of my seat, watching in horror as the hero falls – seemingly destroyed. I cringe as he is taunted by the ruthless powers of evil. I find myself looking anxiously to the horizon for the amazing rescue…

And when it comes, I find myself cheering – ready to go out and do battle myself.

The story of God’s great love for mankind is just that sort of epic story.

Just when it looks like all is lost – an unlikely hero emerges.

Born in a manger, hunted by Herod, living a quiet life for 30 years…

Meanwhile, the earth spins in its selfish, sinful ways.

And then, He bursts onto the scene. The vanquishing Deliverer that Israel had looked for, longed for – the One who would redeem their suffering, and restore their nation!

Um…not quite.

His message is not one of vengeance. He uses words like humble and sacrifice and servant. His sword does not vanquish – it pierces the heart and convicts. He does not claim a crown. He is not declared king. He is arrested, tried, condemned, and killed – crucified on a symbol of shame.

On the edge of my seat, I watch in horror as the hero falls.

Today’s "Bible Pick ‘Ems" comes in two parts – the first captures this moment:

"So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore." (Hebrews 13:12)

I find myself looking toward the horizon for the amazing rescue…

I needn’t have looked further than an empty tomb.

Did the world stop when Jesus arose from the dead? Was anyone aware of what had taken place? That history had irrevocably changed? That a Temple curtain being torn in two was really the cleaving of the human heart?

The world was quiet.

But oh, the Enemy and his cohorts knew – they saw the amazing rescue – and it sent them reeling.

Victory out of the jaws of defeat – life redeemed out of death!

And here’s the rallying cry of the undefeated ones, the conquerors through Christ, the victorious soldiers of the cross – the ones rescued by The One...

The Hero restored to His Throne –

"Now may the God of peace –

who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,

the great Shepherd of the sheep,

and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood –

may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.

May he produce in you,

through the power of Jesus Christ,

every good thing that is pleasing to him.

All glory to him forever and ever! Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

I find myself cheering – ready to go and do battle myself!

How about you?

"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name." (Hebrews 13:15)

(Today I'm linked with Spiritual Sundays, hosted by Charlotte and Ginger, and Super Sunday, hosted by Peggy)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

ROMANS - A Son is Born

Anticipation.

Anxiety.

Awe.

I’m sure that a young girl, so many years ago, felt all of these things. She was nearing the time when she would give birth to her first child. A child, a blessed boy – because God had told her she would give birth to a son.

She was very excited.

Such delightful anticipation.

And yet, she didn’t know what to expect. What would it be like? Long and painful, of that she was sure – could she do it? And where exactly would she give birth? She hoped it would be at a nice inn, with warm and light-filled surroundings. So much she couldn’t know yet.

Such disturbing anxiety.

And oh…the most amazing thing of all. This wasn’t just a child – it was The Child – the Son of God. The Messiah – the Savior that her people had waited for, longed for, hoped for. The answer to their suffering – the Deliverer was coming to earth.

Such dramatic awe.

Mary – a young girl on the verge of being the vessel through whom God would save the world.

What joy she must have felt – and yet – what pain.

For her son was destined to die.

He was the first baby ever born for the specific purpose of sacrificing His life. Could Mary have anticipated the grief she would feel at the foot of the cross – seeing her Savior, seeing her son, dying a horrible death? Did she know He was dying for her?

Another parent felt joy at the birth of this child. And yet, He felt pain too.

God the Father sent His Son to be born into a dark and fallen world. It was His plan from time immemorial. It was His decision, it was His directive. And yet, one can only imagine the depth of God’s pain.

HE KNEW the true ugliness of sin.

HE KNEW the temptations, the sorrows, the suffering, the persecutions of this earthly realm.

HE KNEW a day was coming when He would have to turn His back on His ONLY Son - a perfect Son.

HE KNEW His Son would die – darkened by the stain of sin.

HE KNEW an agony that none of us will ever know.

But still, He sent His Son – right into Enemy Territory – right to the front lines.

He sent Him…

Because…of us.

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from the book of Romans.

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time…God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:6, 8)

Paul writes to his fellow believers in Rome – and to us, too – teaching and reminding us of the grand truth about Jesus Christ. Because of Him, we have entered into a place of undeserved privilege. We have been declared NOT GUILTY. Through Him, we have been drawn close to the Almighty God – we have become His children, we have become His friends.

We were weak and helpless – unable to do anything on our own to save ourselves. Someone had to come and rescue us.

God counted the cost of sending His Son to be born on this earth. And He declared it worth it.

Some thirty-three years later, Jesus made the same decision – and offered His life as a sacrifice for us. How incredibly blessed we are!

At just the right time, in just the right place, for the most “right” purpose of all – a young woman named Mary gave birth to the only Savior who could save us. A Savior who understood our weaknesses. A Savior who loved sinners just like His Father did – unconditionally and completely.

A Savior who was born – to die.

For us…

“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:11)

“When in doubt, search God out!”

1 JOHN - Our Advocate

The judge peered down at me.

“Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

What could I say? I was guilty of every sin that had been brought against me.

My Adversary was good…very good.

He had used witnesses against me…He had used Scripture against me. And he had used truth – I couldn’t deny one word of his accusations. I was guilty…

“No, Your Honor. The defense rests.”

“Then I suggest you begin your closing arguments.”

I had no closing arguments. How can you argue, when you know you’re guilty of every wrongdoing, every errant act, every thoughtless word – I had SINNED!

I was about to stand up and plead guilty, when a note was passed to me. It read: “Someone is here to speak for you.”

I turned and looked into the softest eyes of the strongest face I have ever seen.

And He began to speak for me.

He used His own witness…He used Scripture. And He used truth. He finished with a simple, yet profound, statement:

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

“Agreed,” said the judge, as he pounded his gavel. “Not guilty.”

I thought of this little courtroom drama when I read this week’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems.” It comes from the book of I John:

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.” (1 John 2:1)

John offers reassurance to us when we’re feeling guilty and condemned. We know we have sinned. And Satan wastes no time in pointing fingers at us.

“For the accuser of our brothers and sisters…[is] the one who accuses them before our God day and night.” (Revelation 12:10)

He is good…very good.

But don’t give up hope!!

We have the best defense attorney in the universe!

And He is pleading our case!

Jesus is our Advocate, our Defender – and He speaks His truth. He has already suffered the penalty in our place. We can’t be tried for a case that no longer exists.

“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)

“He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” (Hebrews 7:25)

So, don’t be afraid to ask Jesus to plead your case – He has already won it!!

"When in doubt, search God out!"