JUDY AND I ARE IN THE PROCESS OF A MAJOR MOVE. As many of you know this can exacerbate stress. We pack differently. I married my opposite. All of this led to a huge fight Friday night. It was mostly my fault.
Guilt and condemnation. I had a hard time sleeping. I awoke under a cloud of self-loathing—one third still mad at Judy, but two thirds mad at myself. I was the antithesis of Ephesians five. “Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
I went to my study and opened the Bible. I was in the middle of a reading of Hebrews. Friday morning I left off in the middle of chapter two. This was the next verse.
For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
Hebrews 2:16-18
God’s word delightfully pierced me. Joy and hope displaced my guilt and shame. This verse on this morning was no accident. God had obviously planned it. His sovereign, living word bathed me with faith, hope, and love for the God I so desperately need.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4
I am writing this with the hope that my experience will also encourage you. Hebrews two reminds us that Jesus is the “merciful and faithful high priest.” That means he is rich in mercy and forgiveness, no matter your sins or failings. In addition, he exercises his priestly ministry on our behalf before the throne of God. From his human nature, he empathizes with our weakness and frailties. From his divine nature, he presents himself as the perfect and final sacrifice propitiating God’s wrath for those willing to humble themselves and confess their sins and inadequacies.
What wonderful news. Does it get any better than this? “
As far as east is from west so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him, for he knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103
