Does Jesus Care?

 John 11:1-45 (NLT) 

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song
As the burdens press and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long

Oh, yes He cares
I know He cares
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary

I know my Savior cares!
His heart is touched with my grief

Recently I have been reminded of how much Jesus cares. The author of this old him certainly had grasped this truth. (Please take the time to read Jn.11. It is linked for you.)

My study in Hebrews has reminded me of it. Heb.2:11 says that it was fitting that the Father would make the founder of our salvation perfect through suffering. 'Perfect' does not refer to a deficiency in Jesus' character, but to the Father's desire for Jesus to truly be able to sympathize or empathize with us in our struggles.

In Jn.11:33 that sympathy/empathy is seen in Jesus weeping. The NLT uses the word 'anger' to describe Jesus emotion as he observed Mary and her friends weeping for their loss. While this weeping in the original language is defined as a loud wailing, Jesus' weeping is a quiet sobbing. Jesus anger and weeping were for a different reason than Mary's.  He wept because of the pain they had- the result of being born in sin. We endure many pains as a result of our 'born sinful' condition. Jesus mourns that we have to experience this. 

If you are suffering today, or have suffered in the past, no matter the suffering, Jesus suffers with you. He weeps with you. And he is there beside you in your pain or sorrow. He knows what (weeps with) you are going through.

It is Good that One Should Die

 John 11:49-52 (click the ref to read) As we come close to the days we celebrate or remember Jesus death and resurrection, I think it is good to ponder the words of the High Priest in this passage.  His words were prophetic.  As we read the passage, we realize that Jesus did not die in futility, but with purpose. He not only died for Israel, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.  

We must remember, there is only one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Don't be lured into thinking that somehow you can mediate your own case before God or that someone or something can.  It is only Jesus that can and He has.  Let's celebrate and worship Him. If you are unsure of what Jesus has done for you or how you can appropriate what he has done, let me know.

Pastor Paul

From Obscurity to Greatness

 I'm not sure when the last time was you read Joseph's life story in Genesis.  Ch.39 reminds us of his life in Potiphar's house and consequent imprisonment. How well would you have fared? His faithfulness first of all seemed to give him success, but his moral integrity landed him in prison and obscurity. Why did he respond to Potiphar's wife the way he did? In his words, "How could I do such a thing? It would be a sin against God."  Joseph did not even consider a little compromise. Although he knew she would probably get him, he considered faithfulness to God of much more value.  So why did he not take the easy route?

Because he didn't believe adversity was away from the plan of God, he believed it was part of the plan of God. It's part of the plan of God in accomplishing his purposes. Although Joseph may have despaired while in prison, we don't see it.  Diversions in life are not diversions from God's plan.  God may place you in places of obscurity while he prepares you for greatness. But even if greatness does not come, remember, greatness is not his goal, faithfulness is. As stewards of the grace of God, lets be found faithful (1 Cor.4:2).

(I was reminded of these thoughts a I listened to a lecture from Dr. Allman, Dallas Th. Seminary).