Come On In!

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24

Life is lived better with friends.  They can say things to us that nobody else has “permission” to say.  Why?  Because we know they are our trusted companions in life.  When they speak, we know they have our best interests in mind.  And, when life chips away at our strength, they are the people we seek out for renewal and perspective.  They just have a knack for knowing how to walk with us in an understanding that others can't and don't.  

As the writer of Hebrews comes alongside his struggling readers, he shows them a side of Jesus that perhaps they (and we!) had forgotten.  He throws the curtain back and shines the spotlight on Jesus' magnificence. He is the “better” everything.  His sacrifice was final and complete.  Afterwards...He sat down at the right hand of the majesty in the heavens.  Big truths they needed to remember!   

But there is more. 

The writer reminds them that Jesus has not orphaned them.  His ministry in their behalf continues even in the heavenlies.  He celebrates the fact that Jesus“entered heaven for us” (9:24).  The purpose of his suffering was to bring many sons to glory (2:9-10).  Moreover, he is nor ashamed to call them his brethren (2:13).  In fact, he lives to make intercession for them (7:25)!

But it gets better.

In 4:14-16 he says,

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

One of Satan’s most destructive tools is discouragement and negative self-talk. I’m not talking about ignoring repentance and living the easy life.   It’s the other side of sin I'm referring to.  It's the leftover stuff…the residue that lingers after we have poured our hearts out to God but “feel” (and I stress the word “feel”) that God doesn’t want us around...period!  Our faith experience is similar to the person who swims laps with an extra forty pounds strapped to their legs.  Fatigue sets in.  We hear the call to swim but eventually find ourselves sitting on the bottom of the pool!  How we see ourselves and feel about our value as persons can be determined by distorted notions of God. Distorted notions of what it means to live in relationship with God paralyze us leaving us with hope in one hand and despair in the other!  We live out our days biting our finger nails wondering if God gives a rip about us.  Can you identify with that?

That’s where Hebrews 4:14-16 helps us!  It plainly says that Jesus, the great high priest, understands our weaknesses.  He knows firsthand what it is like to be “human.”  AND, he doesn’t want us to run away from the throne “of grace”;  He wants us to RUN TO IT!  We can drag our stuff - whatever it is - before this greatest of high priests knowing that he not only understands but wants us in his presence for strength and healing.

I love the old hymn entitled “There’s Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus.”  We know the words, but do we truly know its ministry of heart and spirit?

Here it is:

1 There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul’s diseases,
No, not one! No, not one! 

2 No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! No, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! No, not one!

3 There’s not an hour that He is not near us,

 No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! No, not one!

4 Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! No, not one!

Refrain:
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one! 

Now, that’s a real friend.

Father, may we allow the truth about yourself and your Son’s ministry in our behalf to fill our hearts especially, when doubts arise and Satan comes against us with lies about what you truly want for each of your sons and daughters.  Our friend in heaven can be counted on to help and strengthen us.  Train our hearts to come with confidence, for it is our right as those He calls brethren.  Thank you Father!

Randy Daugherty, Stephenville, Texas