Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The past few days, I have been thinking, no I have been FEELING the pain of the Fall much more. This has occurred in the context of studying about racism and poverty and crime and hopelessness in our nation. I have suffered some in my life, but by and large, my life has been so blessed and protected by God. Yet, I still long for heaven, still feel so hungry and thirsty for an existence free of pain and suffering and entrenched conflict, not only for myself and my family, but for all mankind. My heart aches as I ponder the various consequences of sin that have been scratching and clawing at my soul's awareness. And, again, I have been gently driven by God back to the central message and power of the Gospel. The darkness and brokeness of our souls overflows and destroys us and enslaves us and makes us hate, still with great lingering stench even for those of us in Christ. Having been forgiven by His infinite mercy, and empowered by His Almighty Spirit, I have been striving down the path of love. I have been seeking to show the love of Christ to those in my life, attempting to extend the gospel's impact in my life to all I meet. This, indeed, is the only hope we - all of us on this suffering globe- have: God's infinite mercy inexplicably rescuing us rebels from destruction and misery, and restoring to us relationships of trust and protection and encouragement and peace.
Praise God that our Glorious Savior knows how we feel. He went through it all. He wept at the sight of our suffering. He, indeed, was broken that we may be whole. He, indeed, was utterly rejected that we may be forever safe. He drank all the wrath of God's infinite fury that we may never stop drinking deeply of God's infinite favor. Now, with tears, I say, may we be strong enough, by His Power, to also feel the suffering of this broken and cruel world, and to fill up in our lives what was lacking in His suffering.
O, Father in heaven, we beseech you, have mercy upon us. Send out Thy Spirit that we may be set apart for thy use, that Thy Glorious Gospel, the only Almighty Key to unlock the chains of sin's bondage, might run forth like a lion throughout this suffering globe.
Amen.
B8