JESUS...He's Been There and Done That!

Through some missionary friends serving in Peru, I became aware of the plight of a fellow believer by the name of Antonio and his wife Carmen, who have several young children. Antonio was  accused of a crime and has been imprisoned for the last three years while his case has crept through a corrupt judicial system of bribed attorneys and sleeping judges. Strong evidence demonstrates he is innocent of the accusations against him. Nevertheless, this past week he was sentenced to 35 more years in prison. Antonio and Carmen are traumatized. Many who have faithfully prayed are in shocked unbelief. Why has God hidden Himself? Have all our prayers been in vain? Is God really a God who loves and defends His own? In times like these even the strongest might be tempted to ask if God even exists.

For those of you who are presently experiencing a life of sweetness and bliss you can tuck away the following observations for future use, but for the "Antonio's" out their who may be struggling with difficult providences from God...I hope this helps.

Consider Joseph:

In the book on Genesis we have the fascinating account of Joseph. (You know, the favored son with the colorful coat and a bunch of brothers who considered him to be incredibly arrogant and obnoxious.) Joseph's life was profoundly affected by the unjust actions of others: his brothers sold him into slavery, he was falsely accused of rape, resulting in a long undeserved prison sentence. Can you imagine how Joseph's faith was tested as he rotted in that prison; the questions he must have wrestled with after he had been so faithful to God? Had God forgotten him...or, does God always have a plan? You know how the story turns out. This is Joseph's conclusion on the matter when he says to his brothers, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." (Selah) (Read Genesis 45:4-8 and Genesis 50:15-21)

Let Us Fix our Eyes on Jesus:

The greatest example of false accusations, unjust trials and the condemnation of an innocent man is the experience of Jesus Christ Himself. It is indeed hard not to question God's love and faithfulness when we find ourselves on the receiving end of injustice or when circumstances hide God's face from view. But we must ask the question, how much did God love His own son? We clearly know the answer. But the Father not only allowed the unjust suffering and death of His son...He ordained it. The early believers demonstrated their understanding of this aspect of the cross when they acknowledged, "Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will." (Acts 4:27-28 NLT)

Here is the principle we must never forget: Jesus never asks us to walk through anything that He has not already walked through Himself. This is a profound reality! We do not have a High Priest that is unable to sympathize and identify with the things we suffer...He has been there and done that.

Consider (Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT) "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

Please, never doubt your God. Never doubt His unfailing love. Fix you eyes on those like Joseph as a human example but especially on Jesus, He has been through it, He has experienced it, He is our victory.

Please pray for Antonio, Carmen and their children...