Consider Jesus (Heb. 12:3)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 06-30-03

 

My Worship Time                              Focus:  Consider Jesus

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  Hebrews 12:3

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”  (NKJV)  “Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up.”  (NLT)

            The writer wants his readers to consider the things that the Lord has gone through in order to make a way for our salvation.  John MaCarthur says in his footnote on this verse “Jesus is the supreme example of willingness to suffer in obedience to God.  He faced hostility and endured even the cruel cross.  The same opposition is faced by all who follow Him .”  As stated before these early Jewish believers were undergoing persecution because of their faith and were considering going back into Judaism so the writer again encourages them to stick to their faith and in this verse he encourages them by reminding them what the Lord suffered in making a way for them to be saved.  Jesus Christ was there example and of course is our example today in all aspects of our life, even when He chooses for us to suffer for the cause of Christ it will be in the long run good for us even though we do not understand it in the present situation.

 

            2.  Spiritual meaning for my life today:  When I compare this situation that I am going through with my investments with what Christ went through there is no comparison at all.  I know that I could blame myself for this mess that I am in, and of course I could blame Gary and Andrew for this mess, but in the overall scheme of things I have to believe that the Lord is in control of this and choose this for me and others to go through this for His glory and our good.  God is in control of all that goes on in my life and in control of all that goes on in the world and will work out everything for His glory and for the good of His children, His Word teaches this.

 

The Word of God has bee challenging to me as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To trust the Lord and trust His Word in spite of the circumstances and consequences that I am going through.  Jesus never fails and is always on time.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 121:1,2

 

1.      I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?

2.      My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.