Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Hebrews 4:13-5:10 (ESV)
13 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.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 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. 15 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. 16 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. 5 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this, he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Why is it hard for many people to trust the love of God?
Gracious Father, there are people who find it hard to trust Your love. There have been times in my life when I have struggled with similar things. You hold all things in the universe in Your hand, but yet you know my every thought. It is quite astonishing that I can approach the Creator of the universe with confidence and boldness. It almost sounds too good to be true. However, You not only hear my concerns, but You also answer my prayers. Nothing is hidden from You. You see any evil that I think or do. You know my heart. Lord, to be honest, that can be an unsettling thought. How can You love me for what I’ve done? Because You knew my sins and that I couldn’t save myself, You sacrificed Yourself in my place so I could be forgiven. It’s hard to imagine that You would understand how I am tempted, or what I am going through. But You do. You were tempted in every way but yet lived without sin. I will never know the agony that You endured on the cross out of Your great love for me. It is easy to feel like I need to do something to justify forgiveness. It is not logical to think that it is just free. Yet You paid the entire price for my sins with Your life so I can be with You for all eternity. There is nothing that I need to do, Jesus has already accomplished it. Your ways don’t always make sense. I want life to make sense. I want to set my own terms and in my own timetable. It is difficult to just surrender control of my life. But when I trust You I find that Your ways are always better than mine and Your timing is always perfect. You see things I am not aware of. I question Your love when You allow difficulties to happen in my life. Strangely enough, You use those times of hardship to mature my faith. It is when I trust You, that my relationship with You strengthens and my love for You grows. Lord forgive me when I struggle. Let me trust in Your Love and accept Your gift of grace. Use me to share Your Love with those who are struggling to trust You to help them to find their way to Your wonderful message of love, grace, and mercy. Jesus, You are the source of eternal salvation to all who obey You. I trust You Lord and submit my life to you. Amen