He Understands…
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As I was driving back from downtown Accra yesterday morning, I saw desperation, stress and frustration on the faces of the commuters that were stuck in thick, non-negotiable traffic heading downtown. Even areas that used not to have so much traffic had become traffic zones..
I could immediately feel their pain because I was in their situation just the day before! I left home around 7 am and got downtown shortly before 9.30 am! Almost two and a half hours to cover a distance of just about 20 kilometers!
I have often heard people say,
“Experience is the best teacher.”
But in my opinion, experience does more than teach us. Experience, especially the very bad ones, leave imprints on our memories; and make us empathic when we see others experiencing the same thing. We are able to step in their situations, walk in their shoes, and sometimes vividly relive the experience as if it was happening to us all over again!
Jesus, when he came on this earth, put divinity aside and experienced all the things we experience.
He experienced homelessness when he said,
“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head”
(Matthew 8:20).
He experienced frustration when he said
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks,…but you were not willing”
(Luke 13:34).
He experienced anger when he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables saying,
“Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market! ”
(John 2:16).
Jesus experienced fear and weakness when He faced death, and had to be strengthened by an angel .
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
(Luke 22:42-43)
He experienced sadness, and wept, when he saw Mary and the Jews accompanying her weeping over Lazarus.
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied…Jesus wept.
(John 11:32-35)
He experienced rejection and abandonment.
“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”
(John 6:66).
He experienced betrayal of trust.
“He (Judas Iscariot) did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.”
(John 12:6)
He got tired too.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”
(Mark 6:31)
I can go on and on about Jesus’ experiences as documented in the Bible.
These days however, I listen to some who “share” the gospel of the Christ and wonder which Christ’s gospel they are sharing; because the Christ they present is a detached, exacting, unsympathetic, demanding and intolerant. And saves, blesses, heals, protects provides for certain “favourites,” usually based on their works; that those who give Him nothing are cut out of His mercy, grace and providence!
The true Christ has been poor, marginalized, outlawed, hated, insulted, spat upon, betrayed several times, deserted may times, lonely often and frustrated on a lot of occasions! Being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation!
This is the Christ we serve – A Christ who has in all respects experienced what we experience, understands us and walks with us in every situation.
Which Christ do we represent? Which Christ do we present?
The true Christ, understands.
MEMORY VERSE
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.”
(Hebrews 4:15)
QUESTIONS
What frustrations are you going through?
Do you know that Christ understands exactly how you feel?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please let me feel
Your peace, as Your arms
wrap around me
while you whisper,
"My child, I understand."
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship
with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church
where you can Fellowship with like
minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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