Saturday, February 6, 2016

911

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, That when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 4: 12-13 NKJV

I've often wondered, what trials have I faced that Jesus did not also partake of?  Better yet, when Jesus' trials came, who did he turn to?  Well, I am confident that when Jesus Himself faced His trials, His help rested in the very same place that ours does today.  The bible makes no secret of the fact that WE WILL fall into various trials and tribulations.  Knowing this, my question is, where do I turn when they come?  Of course, the scriptures tell us this as well.

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who  has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4: 14-16 NKJV

Can you imagine yourself facing the very same trials that Jesus faced?  However, the scriptures once again tell us that Jesus Himself was TEMPTED AS WE ARE, yet without sin.  We've read of the temptations of Jesus by satan after His baptism, but was this the only time Christ was tempted in His lifetime?  I think not.  For part of the true beauty of the gift that Jesus has given to us lies not in his deity, but in his humanity!  As he walked the paths of Galilee, Jerusalem and Judea, Jesus was more than likely tempted again, as we are each day.  Jesus' humanity, his very flesh, guaranteed that he would bear the same temptations as we do.  His deity guaranteed his holy, sinless nature.  However, despite being tempted without sin, it is this Jesus that BECAME sin in our place!

For he made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

If you must know, it was WE and  not HE who deserved to be hung on that Roman cross!  It is the gift of God that our Lord Jesus became sin for us.  Therefore, the punishment we deserved for our iniquity, was shouldered by one man!  Our stain, our sins, died with Jesus on that cross long ago.  The slate has been wiped clean!  When we come before our Lords throne of grace to seek his forgiveness for our iniquities, we shouldn't be surprised when our Lord whispers to us, "What sin, my child?"
When those trials and temptations that plague us come knocking, we can rest assured that not only did our Lord Jesus face the very same afflictions, but that because of this we can come to him for help when we desperately need it most!  After all, who would know more about our afflictions than He who has been there?

~Scott~

No comments: