[H]e made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

John 11

[H]e made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:7

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Lazarus: The Final Witness*".

*Title of lesson eight from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day four starts with Max Lucado discussing what I raised yesterday with my post - that Jesus wept over Lazarus even though He knew he would be raised.  He wept because He cared for Martha and Mary...and He cares for us.  He is able to empathize with us. 

We are able to have a personal relationship with God of the Universe - the Lord of Lords.  And we know that He cares about and for us. He understands pain, loss, etc. I also posted a couple of days ago how Jesus wants to help carry our burdens.  I think it is worthwhile for us to ponder on how we have can have this personal relationship with God, knowing that He understands us - not only does He know everything about us, but He was like us and experienced what we do - incredible!

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. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God - You know everything about me, and You know everything about what is it like to live as I do as You came to earth in human form. You then lived a perfect life but willingly surrendered Your life so that I could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life - now to the full and eternally in Heaven once we are called Home. These are all amazing gifts of which I am not deserving of any as my sin continues particularly harshness with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 11

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Lazarus: The Final Witness*".

*Title of lesson eight from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day three starts with Max Lucado discussing how Martha felt betrayed by Jesus when she initially saw him on His way to the now dead and buried Lazarus (John 11:21). Lucado shares how many feel betrayed by Jesus during these moments of loss when one sometimes wonders why someone had to die. Jesus of course has the answer and verses 23-27 chronicle the dialogue between Jesus and Martha on how belief in Jesus leads to everlasting life.  The feeling of betrayal then leads to desperation as Martha has no other answer than to rely on Jesus - she has the faith Jesus wants all of us to have. She then sends to her sister Mary who challenges Jesus just as Martha did and we see Jesus weeping and moved. We see Jesus weeping and for Martha and Mary one can only speculate how comforting it must have been to see Jesus - who Martha correctly refers to as "Messiah, the Son of God" - weeping.  God really does care about us - that is why He sent His Son.  For many, the road from feelings of betrayal to desperation leads to Jesus and a strengthened faith.  It certainly helps that we have a God who can empathize with all of our needs.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 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. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Discuss and comment on this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who knows and provides for all of my needs - and You provide everlasting life for those who believe - thank You Jesus.  This is the greatest gift of all.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I worry, I lack patience, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 1-6:12

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. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Day 357 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning I started reading the book of Hebrews. My commentary* notes about the authorship of the letter: "[o]ne indication that the writing may have occurred after Paul’s death is a reference to the release of Timothy. Neither in the historical record nor in any of Paul’s letters is there any indication that Timothy was ever imprisoned. It is quite possible that, if Timothy had traveled to Rome to be with Paul, as Paul had urged him to do, Timothy himself might have been imprisoned at that time or shortly thereafter....With Paul’s authorship left in doubt, it is not clear who the writer might have been. Some believe him to be Luke, while others believe the writer may have been Paul’s colleague Barnabas, or perhaps Apollos. Whoever it was, the letter reveals that the author is personally acquainted with those to whom he is writing and is familiar with the persecution which they are enduring.

Regarding the intent of the letter, my commentary* indicates "[o]bviously having that suffering in mind, and with an awareness that many of the Jewish Christians are being urged to return to Judaism, the writer sets forth a tremendous defense of the Christian faith, drawing forcefully from a Jewish context in urging continued faith in Jesus as the Christ. Moving logically and systematically from one argument to another, the writer shows the superiority of Christ over all that is held to be important to the Jewish religion—prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua, the Levitical priesthood, the covenant, and the sacrifices. Midway through his letter the writer makes a particularly profound argument based upon the character of a high priest named Melchizedek, to whom Abraham had given an offering. Anticipating that some of his readers might miss the point of his argument concerning Christ’s superiority, the writer pauses parenthetically to tell his readers that they need to be more mature in their spiritual understanding. Finally, the writer lists a group of faithful people of God as examples of steadfastness and endurance. He exhorts his readers to imitate the faithful lives of these men and women."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Hebrews provides us with a number of great verses upon which we can all draw great power, peace, encouragement, etc. Christ is defined as our High Priest (a Great One) and someone who experienced what we experience and so much more...He can empathize with us and He defeated both sin and death for us...giving us life to the full now and eternally.

Discuss and comment on this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a the Great High Priest and You bless us in ways that are both great and unimaginable in terms of the bounds with which You love us.  I am undeserving of such love.  I sin daily, including worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4

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. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. v15-16

Yesterday, I posted about how "a fear of God knowing about our disobedience and fear of God's understanding of this disobedience should drive us closer to God".   We should desire to draw close God as well based on my scripture for today v15-16.

First we have a God who is - unlike anyone else - able to empathize with us because He has been tempted in EVERY way but did not sin.  He also knows everything about our thoughts and deeds yet He STILL loves us and for believers adopts us into His family.

We CAN approach Him in confidence.

See also posts here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has laid down His life for me - nailing my sin to the cross.  You know everything about me yet You still surrendered Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.