It's funny how God is often pictured - a big booming voice that comes out of nowhere, or a big bearded man floating on a white fluffy cloud looking down upon the earth. And maybe, at times, this is how it feels. That God is this mystery voice or is simply watching from above and is really far away. But the Cross tells a different story. It reveals to us that our God understands what it is to be human. And He knows what it is to suffer.
Isaiah 53: 4 – 6 (The LORD's Suffering Servant)
"He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
A punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God's paths to follow our own.
Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all."
It's great to be reminded of this truth. Hebrews 2:18 tells us that "He suffered and endured every test and temptation, so that he can help us every time we pass through the ordeals of life" (TPT). Jesus experienced the trials of life so that He could help us in ours. Often the people who can help us best are those who have been through the same or similar circumstances. Why? Because they understand. Whatever your struggle is today, the trials or temptations you are facing, look to the cross and remember that through Jesus we have a God who truly understands and He can and wants to help.
Lent Prayer
Thank You Jesus for becoming human and experiencing all that entails. Thank You that You surrendered yourself to experience suffering in a multitude of ways and that in You we can find all we need for each and every day. Please help us today in whatever trials and struggles we may be facing. Help us to turn to You and allow ourselves to be strengthened and helped by You, the God who understands. Amen.