Jesus knows!

When I bowed my head to pray there was only silence.  What could I ask that I had not already asked?  No words were able to express the content of my soul, the anguish of heart, that I felt. Ever been in that place, overwhelmed by pain or sorrow?  Job was!   

The ancient prince, who story is told in one of the oldest books in the Scripture, was laid low by sickness, crushed by tragedies, broken by rejection.  As his friends offer their counsel, they insist that he is responsible for some sin that is causing his troubles.  They see life as a direct line of cause and effect.  The good and just live in God’s blessings without exception, they believe. 

Job knows that he has faithfully served God, but he cannot convince his friends. In frustration, he cries out:  “God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength." (Job 9:32-35, NLT)   If only there were a mediator.  For us, there is One!

Christian, we have a Meditator!  Jesus knows our humanity. He was fully Man!  He now represents us in the Presence of God. “Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6 NLT)  When life reduces us to quiet groans and tears, He knows what we feel.  "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT)

We do not need to construct eloquent prayers or persuasive arguments in our prayers. We do not have to try to convince the Almighty to hear us. We have a Mediator and He is well acquainted with our situations. Grieving? He wept.  Alone? He prayed in the garden alone. Feeling abandoned by God? He cries out the same. Struggling to find faith to accept the trials of the day? He did, too!  Now, exalted in Glory, at the right hand of the Father, He is our advocate.  Even if the only words we can find are mumbled cries for mercy, He knows the deeper need.  Moreover, He has taken away our guilt and given us confidence to come into God’s Presence.  When I pray sometimes I think of Him standing alongside of me. I am shabby, without beauty, but this Lord of Glory puts His arm ‘round my shoulders and says, “Father, meet my brother!”  Yes, Christian friend, that is the truth. 

"So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body. So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word." (Hebrews 10: 19-23, The Message)

Jesus knows!

_____________

Before The Throne Of God Above

Before the throne of God above,

I have a strong and perfect plea,

A great High Priest whose name is Love,

Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,

My name is written on His heart,

I know that while in heav'n He stands,

No tongue can bid me thence depart;

No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,

And tells me of the guilt within,

Upward I look and see Him there,

Who made an end to all my sin.

Because the sinless Saviour died,

My sinful soul is counted free,

For God the Just is satisfied,

To look on Him and pardon me;

To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,

My perfect spotless righteousness,

The great unchangeable I Am,

The King of glory and of grace.

One with Himself I cannot die,

My soul is purchased with His blood,

My life is hid with Christ on high,

With Christ my Saviour and my God;

With Christ my Saviour and my God.

Charitie Lees Bancroft | Vikki Cook

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