bff

Today's sermon at church was so so good. It was the first week of a new series called Jesus Is. We are going through some different characteristics of Jesus. This week was Jesus is my best friend. Pastor Chris talked about how Jesus understands everything we go through in life. He came to experience every part of life so he could identify with us. He understands relationships. He had a big family that mocked him and called him crazy. He understands life. Hebrews 4:15 says "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin" He faced every temptation we face. The majority of His life was spent just living. He lived like a human so that he could understand what we are going through. He can sit on His throne and tell God "that thing that he/she is going through, I remember that. That was a really tough one." He is sitting there watching us and interceding FOR us, not AGAINST us. When I was home last weekend my mom was talking about how her sunday school class was going through Hebrews and she learned something that she never knew before. You always hear about Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. Until now I didn't realize that Jesus actually SITTING had any significance. Until Jesus came, the high priests were constantly moving around, praying with and for people, sacrificing on the people's behalf, always doing something. When Jesus came and died as the ultimate sacrifice, there was no longer any need to do all of those things. People could pray directly to Jesus. They didn't have to sacrifice anymore because our sin was covered once and for all. So now, Jesus is SITTING at the right hand of God. It was neat how that went along with the sermon. Jesus also understands pain. Isaiah 53:3&5 says "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Jesus needs to be our best friend. We have to talk to him. Not just a once a day prayer quota but ongoing prayer. pray without ceasing. As Pastor Chris said, Don't 'lay me down to sleep' Him. He's heard that one before. Hebrews 4:15 says "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may recieve mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Mercy is not getting what we deserve and grace is getting what we don't deserve. We also have to trust Jesus with our lives. Psalms 37:5 says "commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you."

Jesus is my best friend. Is He yours?