There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Never in my sixty-plus years have I seen such turmoil around us as we see now! Between the civil unrest involving politics, hatred and divisiveness, racism (after all these years), and health – it is overwhelming in the natural. The Bible warns us about the evils of the end time, yet Christ also encouraged us be adding (fear not, for I have overcome the world). Well, that’s just great, Lord, but You aren’t here anymore! Jesus didn’t have a cell phone, the Internet, or a wife to contend with, so we foolishly think He had no worries – just Him and His buddies out strolling around the countryside. That’s why I included the remaining verses.

I am so grateful that Jesus came to this earth to walk out salvation for us! He came in the flesh and endured the same pressures of life we do, including childhood, young adulthood, school, work, taking over His father’s (Joseph) carpentry shop, providing for His earthly family (as the man of the house), witnessed Temple (or church) life with all its drama, then entered into the ministry. Interwoven with each of these stages, Jesus got to see, firsthand, the ugliness of mankind toward mankind, got to see the effects of sin in the world, and experienced (according to the scripture) all points we have. Yet without sin. Amazing.

That is why I am so glad to have Him on my side! Better stated, I am on His side. You see, I know what it means to have an Advocate (or a lawyer) working for you in the flesh. Had I have tried to represent myself things would have gone much worse – believe me! So to have someone who has studied the case, knows case law and case history, who can tie my situation into another previous one, my attorney was able to reduce what could have been a serious tragedy into what amounted to a mere inconvenience. That is only in reference to my earthly life. To carry it forward to my eternal existence – heaven or hell – literally takes everything to a new level. Plus, my Attorney, my High Priest, WROTE the Law! What better representation could I have?

We used to sing a song in the church called “There’s Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus.” In that song is a line that says “Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide til the day is done…” Oh how that brings comfort when I am surrounded by the enemy. What hope and peace that brings when I am seemingly at the end. He knows about my heart troubles, He knows about my crippling disease, He knows about my mental struggles, He understands my pain, my loss. Glory to God for the sufferings of Jesus.

He stands beside you and me as we go through the dark places. He calms our fears when we can see no end. Remember, He knows our tomorrows. He has already been where we are going and has returned to guide us. He understands when we grow weary and afraid. Like the Good Shepherd He Is, He brings us into the fold and watches over us as we sleep. He binds up our wounds and applies healing salve to our open cuts. He provides for us, and leads us into green pastures. David wrote all of this so eloquently in Psalm 23 and I would remind you to read that over and over again as you endure this time. There is already established an appointed time for it to end, it’s just that we don’t get to see it. But He does.

As we stand before the Judge in this very real Courtroom of heaven, our Attorney, our Advocate, stands beside us and speaks on our behalf. The enemy has his time in court – to bring accusations, lies, evidence, etc. to the Judge’s attention. But when he has finished, Jesus stands with us to face the Court. While some (or all) of what Satan has presented may have been true, Jesus argues our position from the blood He shed on Calvary. If we have been totally honest with our Attorney (confessed our sins) and not carried on in the former manner (repented), and if we have thrown ourselves on His mercy (given Him our lives), then He can openly and honestly state before God Himself that we are not that person anymore. Having identified ourselves with Christ, we have become new creations with new DNA – we have, in fact, become sons and daughters of the Judge Himself and brothers and sisters of our Attorney. As this is proclaimed boldly before God, and seeing that the charges have been dismissed against us, furthermore knowing that the penalty for those infractions against the Law have already been satisfied (by Jesus’ substitionary death on our behalf), the Judge (God) declares us innocent of all charges and we are released without further ado. Hallelujah!

BUT! We are free to continue living in the goodness and mercy of God and not returning to our former sinful ways. As Paul stated so clearly, “Should we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!” We have a fresh start, a clean slate, complete deliverance from the old man and his habits. We are truly in the eternal Witness Protection Program – to witness to others about what God has done for us, to show others His mercy and grace, and to lead them to Him. As with the earthly Program, we are not to have contact with our former associates, we are not to join them again in their works, we are in a different place with a different mission. Granted, God may, at some future time, allow us to once again see our former associates – but only for the purpose of freeing them from that lifestyle.

My friend, I strongly encourage you to come to Christ – to allow Him to do all this and more for you. He has already taken your sickness and disease, He has already paid the price for your redemption. All He asks is that you acknowledge that and give your life to Him. Trust Him. Listen to Him. Follow Him. Obey Him. Sure there will still be struggles, but fear not for Jesus has already overcome all of them. For me. For you.

Be blessed.