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2006-10-20 - Basic Beliefs
Part 7 - Based on The Apostle's Creed
(Christ) "...Suffered under Pontius Pilate..."
We don't serve an "Ivory Tower" Lord - removed from the pain of the real
world. If Christ had never suffered, we couldn't have full confidence that
He could understand our situations. But He suffered more than most of us
will ever have to go through. For you. For me. So we could spend eternity
with God.
Most of us thankfully will never be beaten. But some of us have been or will
be. Those who have been abused as children or partners - or pistolwhipped
by robbers or rapists - will be moved by
John 19 - which relates that Jesus was flogged. Jesus
understands the pain of abuse victims.
Have you ever faced the frustration of being misunderstood? So has our Lord.
One example recorded by Matthew in Chapter 27, verses 20-24:
20 But the chief priests and the elders
persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.
21 But the governor said to them, "Which of the two do you
want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas."
22 Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus
who is called Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" 23 And
he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more,
saying, "Crucify Him!" 24 When Pilate saw that he was
accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water
and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this
Man's blood; see to that yourselves."
Jesus understands that frustration and sadness.
Have you been made fun of - perhaps because of a facial deformity (big nose?),
weight problem, a birthmark, lower IQ, the kind of car you drive or the kind
of clothes you wear? Our Lord was mocked as well. Jesus understands the pain
of someone who is painfully teased or derided.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took
Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him.
28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put
it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before
Him and mocked Him, saying, " Hail, King of the Jews!"
30 They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat
Him on the head. 31 After they had mocked Him, they took
the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him
away to crucify Him.
Have your friends or family ever abandoned you - physically or emotionally?
Jesus understands. See Peter's denial in
Luke 22.
Do you struggle with temptation? Jesus understands. As
Hebrews 4 and 5 teach us, Christ Jesus was tempted. He
identifies with our temptations and He is the only Priest we need - replacing
the old priesthood and Old Covenant (see
Hebrews 7:18-19;
7:27-28).
No matter what we go through - spiritually, emotionally or physically - our
Lord understands fully - because He is God, and because He himself has personally
suffered.
Comments or Questions?
Jan
cfdevcfpray@yahoo.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
All Scriptures are from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise
stated. |
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