I Feel You

"Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me." Matthew 26:38

One of the great benefits of being a christian is that we serve a God who can relate to us. Hebrews 2:17-18 says it best, "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." In other words, Jesus could have come to Earth in any form He chose, but Jesus purposely came in the form of a man so that He might feel and experience what we experience. Now here is the key: because Jesus knows what it feels like to suffer and be tempted He can "succour" (run to the rescue, bring aid, help, relief- The Merriam-Webster Dictionary) those of us who are suffering or being tempted. What an awesome God we serve. Think about it, God thought enough about us to not only redeem us, but to redeem us in such a way that would allow Him to actually feel what we feel. God knows just what we need because He has felt what we feel. We have often read or have often been taught about Christ being tempted in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11) But what about the temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane? What about the temptation to give up and not go to the cross? Jesus could have said I can't do it. I am so grateful that didn't happen. Feel like giving up? Think maybe it's not worth it? Reach out to the only true and living God who understands how you feel. The next time you feel like quitting, think about how Jesus confronted His most difficult hour (head on) and call on Him. "Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me." Matthew 26:46