Meditate. Consider
grief. What is it to you? What was it to Jesus?
He told them, "My soul is crushed with
grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Matthew
26:38
Grief. An extreme sadness or a state of
sorrow. Jesus Himself felt this grief. It is said that He felt every human
emotion that we feel—He experienced a totally human life. He was crushed with grief.
 |
| Light a lamp and search for what is lost. |
Yesterday we considered treasures…here on
earth and in heaven. When we lose a treasure, whether it is a person, a job,
our home, car, or some other valued item, we experience grief. We all are
dealing with some level of grief at being isolated during this COVID pandemic.
If nothing else, we’ve lost personal contact that is so essential to
relationships. That is just as distressing as losing a treasured object. Consider
the woman in one of Jesus parables who lost a coin. She was grieving over that
coin…and the security it could have brought her, so she looked all over,
sweeping her house until she found it. She was probably grieving all that time.
Then when she found it—she rejoiced (Luke 15:8-10). Angels in heaven rejoice
when a lost sinner is found…comes to know Jesus as Savior.
In this focus Scripture passage today,
Jesus experienced grief. He knew what torture lay ahead of Him—taking on the
burden of the world’s sin—so He was deeply grieved. His very soul was crushed.
He did what He often did for direction, comfort, encouragement and guidance. He
prayed to His Heavenly Father. He wanted His friends to stay nearby and keep
watch. Don’t desert me—be nearby. That is a good example of how we feel when we
are experiencing grief. We want those we care about nearby…and depending on the
level of our anguish, we pray. Personally, I felt such a deep grief when my
sister died that I just couldn’t find the words to pray. My sister’s friend
prayed at one time that brought relief—knowing that God was there with us. He
has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). Jesus
and the Holy Spirit speak to the Father, interceding for us.
There were many priests under the old
system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus
lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and
forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to
intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need
because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from
sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. Hebrews
7:23-26
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our
weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the
Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans
8:26
There it is. The Holy Spirit prays for us…intercedes
with Jesus before the very throne of God. How awesome is that! He deals with
our grief when we are so overwhelmed that we don’t even know what to say.
Do you know someone who is grieving…grieving
more than you? Jesus wanted His friends nearby when He was experiencing grief.
He didn’t ask them for advice…just be close by. Maybe you can only be there for
them on the phone…but let them know you care. Do they know Jesus as their
Savior…and the Holy Spirit as their Comforter? Tell them about the Lord and reassure
them that they are not alone. Consider their grief.
Prayer
~ Jesus, I can’t imagine the level of overwhelming grief You experienced even
before You went to the cross. Thank You for all You went through…the pain,
suffering, and crushing grief You endured for me, for my family, friends and
neighbors…and everyone who calls You Savior.
Salvation
~ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life
through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
©
2020 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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