A Savior in Blue Jeans
This morning I had my outpatient therapy at Norther Colorado Rehab Hospital. It ended up being a good work out after some cancellations with my recent cold and infection. I don’t know if the work out was that intense or it has just been too long (probably both) but when I cam home I was fairly tired. It felt good after lunch to take a nap and get re-energized from the morning session.
I does feel that I am getting back on top of my strength and energy level. One push forward in recovery is using my walker as much as possible when I am out in public. Recently I have not even had my wheelchair along with me, which means, I don’t have a choice but to make it work. For those who are continuing to pray, pray for the strength of my right leg, the regeneration of nerves and muscles strength. I told my physical therapist today that if my right leg was a strong as my left, that I would be able to walk with a cane. He agreed.
When we were in Lakewood last weekend we were able to give our birthday gifts to Riley. Riley our oldest grandson, turned eight! He got jeans (I know boring) from grandparents, but also this Bronco T-Shirt.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6
A college student commented that when asked about his favorite professional basketball player, that then presidential candidate Mitt Romney responded, “I have some friends who own professional basketball teams.” The student went on and said, “I want a Presidential candidate that I can relate to.”
As I read the familiar words of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53, I was struck by the reality that Jesus as Savior came as one who could relate to the “common man.” He was very God, yet very man not only in a physical body but in the experiences and the assignment of life that he lived. He did grow up in a home of privilege, but in the home of a carpenter. After he was born the sacrifice for purification that Mary offered was that which was acceptable by those who were considered poor.
Jesus was born in a borrowed stable and was buried in a borrowed tomb. He left no estate behind for His family or followers. At the cross He entrusted the care of His mother to John the Disciple. Through His sacrifice for our sins on Calvary He also bore our griefs and sorrows because, “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3) The writer of Hebrews said, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are…” (Hebrews 4:15)
He can relate to our experiences in life and He can strengthen us in our experiences in life and He can help us overcome our experiences in life. But Jesus is more than a divine empathizer, He is our Savior from the punishment of the sins we have committed and for which rightly deserve punishment from a Holy God.
The suffering He experience was for us, it was in our place that He died. We have peace because He was chastised and because the sin of the world was laid upon Him as our sacrificial lamb. We have healing because of the wounds He experienced. Many have seen the movie “The Passion of the Christ.” It would be a powerful image if during the beatings and torture of Christ if when He looked up we could see our face instead of His.
Isaiah 53 ends with these words, “…he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12) Jesus making intercession for “sinners” caught my attention. It is one thing to take comfort in Jesus interceding for “His followers .” But for those who are estranged from Him!? But that is what He does in His role of High Priest that Hebrews refers to, “…he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
What should be our response? “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) If your need is forgiveness draw near to Jesus, if it is healing draw near to Jesus, if it is encouragement draw near to Jesus, if it is wisdom draw near to Jesus, when you find yourself in over your head, draw near to Jesus. Whatever your need, the response is the same, draw near to Jesus. Why? Because He is a Savior you can relate to.