"Been there.....done that."

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

When it comes to directions there is no substitute for a personal guide.  I mean, maps are fine, and GPS is great, but when you got a guy who has been there before-that’s as good as it gets.  What God has blessed me with this week is the thought: “Jesus is a high priest who has been there before.”

Before Jesus they had the law.  What was the law?  A long list of rules that the people of God had to follow if they wanted to be the people of God.  In this law there was “rituals” that had to be performed.  If you sinned or disobeyed you had to take one of your best farm animals (which at the time was precious to you), and you had to kill it, burn it, this would absolve your sin.  Here is the thing though, not just anybody could “perform” the ritual.  Only a certain group of folks could.  These folks were the decedents of Aaron (Moses brother), known as the Levities, commonly called priests.  Ok, essentially the priest was the “doing” end of the law.  They could do what needed to be done according to the law, but you really did not “know” these men.  One would come into office, do his work, and then he would die, and the next one would come into office, do his work, and he would die, and so on and so forth.  However, if somebody insulted you in the market place and you got angry and sinned, they could perform the sacrifice for you, but they could not take away your desire to be angry, they did not understand your bitterness.  They could not remove that hurt and replace it with love for that someone that offended you.  They did not understand.  If your best friend betrayed you, and sinned against you, they could take away the sin of the betrayer, but not your pain.  They could not sympathize.  They could not understand.    If a loved one died and you don’t sin at all; the high priest can do nothing for you.  They can’t take away the sadness that comes with their memory, the hurt that comes when your reminded they are no longer here.  They cannot give you peace, they don’t understand.  But friends, “we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)  Jesus has traveled this road before.  He knows the hurt of being offended, the pain of being betrayed, and the sting of loneliness.  Jesus understands, he has been there, both in thought and in practice.  He is our great and everlasting high priest.  Not only does he understand, but he knows how to help, because he has been there before.  Our Jesus was tempted, tried; he walked this earth, bled, and died.  He did all this without sin, so that we can do the same.  He wants to get you to heaven, and you need him to get to heaven. 

So, trust his directions, and let him take over.  If you trust in him he can keep you free from sin down here, and lead you all the way to a home in heaven………..they say it can’t be done, well, why not?  It’s been done before.

Thought’s on the subject?  Anything you would add? ----please send to pgcollins65@gmail.com