Camping is not my thing. I don’t understand the need to give up my comfort – electricity, hot water, cable – to go live in the woods for a couple of nights. I don’t get it.
Which makes me love Jesus even more. Jesus was living in the lap of luxury in heaven. (He probably had electricity and running hot water in heaven. He didn’t need cable because watching us was entertaining enough.) He willingly relinquished floating on clouds, walking on streets of gold, and being in the Father’s presence 24/7 to come and live amongst us. He gave it all up to show us a better way to live. He gave it up to demonstrate the power that was resident in us when we are connected to the Father. He gave it up to experience a painful, cruel death so that I could experience life abundantly. His suffering had a purpose and that purpose was me.
Because Jesus gave it all up for a moment in time, He now stands ready to help us navigate through this life. Whatever you feel, Jesus has felt, yet without sin.
He has felt your grief.
He has been tempted.
He has been hungry.
He has felt isolation and loneliness.
He has been rejected.
You may think no one knows “the trouble I’ve seen”, but Jesus gave up everything so that He would know our pain, our heartache, our disappointment. Now, he stands with open arms, beckoning us to run into His arms for comfort. Run into His presence for wisdom. He gave up everything so that we could have help in our time of need.
Jesus went on the ultimate camping trip so that I can have heaven on earth.
“Therefore, it was essential that He had to be made like His brothers (mankind) in every respect, so that He might [by experience] become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things related to God, to make atonement (propitiation) for the people’s sins [thereby wiping away the sin, satisfying divine justice, and providing a way of reconciliation between God and mankind]. Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.”
HEBREWS 2:17-18 AMP
