| I Samuel 2:22-4:22; John 5:24-47; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 14:30-31
“I assure you: Anyone who hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. ‘I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son to have life in Himself. And He has granted Him the right to pass judgment, because He is the Son of Man.” (John 5:24-27)
Jesus is the only qualified person to offer salvation and to execute judgment on mankind. Why? Because not only was He 100% God but He was 100% man. As God, He laid aside His royalty and took on the form of a servant, a human body with all of its limitations and desires. As a man He endured every temptation, trial and pain that everyone, that’s every person, has ever, at any time, experienced.
Do you feel less than legitimate? “Do I really belong? Am I a waste of space?” Or do you feel shorted because the events surrounding your birth and family were less than desirable. Jesus grew up amidst swelling rumors of His birth. “Well, you know that He’s not really Joseph’s boy. Joe only married her because he’s such a good man.” Jesus grew up in a blended family. When He was older and ministering, His family showed up and tried to make Him stop and go home. He was misunderstood, they thought He was losing it.
How about being used, have you experienced that before? Jesus healed 10 lepers and only one returned to thank Him. Ever thought to yourself, “Am I even making a difference?” Many turned out for His life changing word and free food seminars (church service/outreach) but not many stuck with the program. Ever wonder if you are going to make it through a crisis? Jesus sweated great drops of blood and begged God to find another way to fulfill His plan.
I’m curious as to whether you’ve ever been played. Jesus had one of His boys that ate at the table with Him betray Him with a kiss, of all things, a kiss. Has loneliness ever overwhelmed you? During the most intense night of His life His friends couldn’t even stay awake to see Him through and when He was arrested, they all ran away. Probably the scariest moments of Jesus’ life was when He thought God had set Him up and abandoned Him. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?”
Yes, Jesus endured these very human sufferings for us. We can never look at God and say, “You don’t understand.” I encourage you to receive Jesus today as your Savior so that you don’t have to face Him one day as judge.
PRAYER:
Lord, I thank You that I have full assurance of my salvation as I believe on You resulting in a life that is surrendered to You. Forgive me Father and help me to remember that through Jesus You have experienced everything we go through here as human beings. I thank You for Your longsuffering, mercy and compassion. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. |
