Who is Jesus?

A couple of weeks ago, our Sunday School Teacher challenged us to think and consider, "Who is Jesus to you?"  Now, I attend a Ladies Class at our conventional church.  I love this bunch of ladies.  We pray for each other.  We check on each other.  We send a card or two (hundred).  The thing that most impresses me about these ladies is that they are a very discreet bunch.  The heartfelt burdens that come to our class stay in our class.  We DON'T discuss them with others outside our class.  I realize this is a huge blessing.  I pray that God protects it as only He can.

But, to get back to our topic, "Who is Jesus to you?"  At first, I just figured I'd tell my story like anyone else but then it became clear that I needed to write it down.  It's a part of my testimony.

Who is Jesus to me?  He is my saviour.  He was this before He was anything else to me.  He is my faith.  He is my creator.  He is my salvation.  He is my judge.  He is my conviction.  He is my conscience.  He is my shelter.  He is my guide.  He is my friend.  He is my lover.  He is my husband.  He is my peace.  He is my strength.  He is my sword.  He is my shield.  He is my knowledge.  He is my stableness.  He is my joy.  He is my grace.  He is my mercy.  He is my strong tower.  He is my source.  He is my God.  He is my everything.  He is my hope.

Take note...  HE IS because HE IS the great I AM.

You see, when God talks to me He says, "I AM your Saviour."  "I AM your Creator."  "I AM your Salvation."  "I AM your Judge."  "I AM your Strength."  "I AM your Joy."  "I AM your God."  "I AM your Hope." And, so on.  When I dwell on what God is to me, there is no room for confusion.  There is no room for doubt.  There is no room for the ungodly, vile, fleshly me.  What a wondrous and joyful place to be.  So, who is Jesus to you?

(Father God, thank you.  I praise you that you are.  I thank you that you've made yourself known, not just to me but to everyone.  I thank you for the faith that provided me the light to see you.  How awesome that you are right now.  I sing with the four beasts, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."  I praise you in the name of Jesus, Amen.)

Suffering Servant

How could God be a suffering servant? I mean, isn't God perfect? What could cause Him pain, distress, injury, loss, a penalty, or death? Why would He patiently or willingly allow or permit it?

I don't like suffering. I don't understand how God allows and participates in suffering. Yet, He has told me why.

Mark 1:41 - "And Jesus, moved with compassion..." Mark 3:5 - "...being grieved for the hardness of their hearts..."

God is moved with compassion and it grieves Him when our hearts are hard against our fellow humans. So, how does that explain suffering? Suffering comes from us. Oh, yes, it does. I love my children. Yet, as a parent, my deepest pain and distress comes from those children. When they don't recognize how I care for them or when they are on a destructive path, it causes me pain. I love my parents. Yet, a deep loss that I have felt came when my father died. I feel pain as I watch my mother go through cancer treatments. I love the father of my children. Yet, divorce has caused intense pain there. I love my husband. Yet, I know that he holds my heart and could cause devastation. Unfortunately, I have also caused others pain. Unfeeling words spoken without thought, rash judgement made without knowing all the details, taking for granted care and consideration provided for me - all this results in suffering.

How is it that Jesus could suffer? His love for us is so great that when we step outside what is good for us and harden our hearts to Him, it grieves Him. He suffers. We suffer. Ouch.

None the less, Jesus does what is right. He is the truth. If you read the first part of Mark 3, it tells of Jesus healing even though He had been set up by the hard hearts of men. He wanted men to desire the healing of the injured one. But they didn't. They only wanted to "catch" him violating one of their own laws. Take note, Jesus didn't violate His law.

Sadly, suffering will remain as long as we are disobedient.

(Father God, forgive me for causing you pain. Thank you for the forgiveness you freely and quickly offer. Help me to be aware of when I am causing the suffering of others so that I may repent of that. Thank you for spending time talking with me and teaching me. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.)

Another Cancer Adventure

Well, Mom has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. We are going today to schedule the surgery required. Mom has been a tower of strength even though she's now only about 5' 4". She has been such a sweet example through all this.

I haven't been such an example. I've been whiny and stressed. My flesh thinks this isn't fair. Why does she have to do this again? Why? Why? Why the changes to her way of life? I have many questions and can't see the answer right now. I rely on the knowledge that God has the answers.

(Father God, thank you for your care. Thank you for the answers that I can't see. You know and that's all I need to know. Please heal according to Your grace and mercy. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)