Been there, done that!

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. Hebrews 4:15

Sometimes people have the greatest of intentions but their words aren’t always the right ones!  Like when you’re having a bad day and everything is falling apart, then someone tells you I know what it’s like. Well, really, no they don’t.  They don’t have a clue how this situation is affecting you!  They don’t know what it’s like to be going through this rough situation along with all of the other things in your life.  I’ve been there – is another one of those well meaning lines. 

The interesting thing about Jesus is he never says either of these two sentences.  Even though he knows our weaknesses, knows our pain, knows our suffering, knows our temptation and our trials – he never says anything of the sort.  He just says, Follow me.

This week is all about mercy.  So the question is, how do we follow Jesus in a way that demonstrates his mercy?  How is God calling us to live mercifully in our homes, neighborhoods, jobs, communities, and church? 

Perhaps it’s by embracing the Jesus we serve.  He’s a Jesus who has been there.  He’s been tempted. He knows what it means to be hungry, tired, hurting, stressed, thirsty, weak, even lifeless!  He’s been everywhere that we could possibly imagine going, and the great part is he did it all without fault.  He didn’t complain.  He didn’t try to find a scapegoat, but willingly became our scapegoat.  Jesus didn’t tell his father that we didn’t deserve his life, instead he willingly laid himself down for us.  And all so we wouldn’t have to get what we deserve – that’s mercy! 

No we don’t serve a God who has no clue.  We don’t worship a Lord who’s just been there.  We serve, worship, and praise the only God who’s been there and done it all perfectly!  And he did it for us!  He died so we wouldn’t have to fear death.  He rose so that we would not only know his mercy, but also his grace.  So in Jesus we don’t get what we do deserve (mercy), and we do get what we don’t deserve (grace).  What an amazing life to follow! 

Lord, we want to follow you.  We don’t want a god who’s just been there.  We need the only God who was, is, and always will be there for us.  Thank you for being that God!  AMEN