Text: And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in the Jordan.
And straight away coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens open, and the spirit like a dove descending upon him. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Now after that John was put into prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: (near).repent ye and believe the gospel. [following the prophecy from Dan.9 :25]. John 1;41; Isa. 55;4.
We are creatures of many needs, who have learned that humans are a bundle of needs. We need food, clothing, shelter and so we go to work. After a full day of work, we get hungry, and we satisfy that need by eating. The patient in the hospital, losing blood, needs a transfusion; the drowning boy needs a life-guard; the bereaved widow needs comfort. The lonely young man needs companionship; the family in a burning house needs the help of the fireman; the storekeeper in a robbery needs a policemen; The perplexed child needs understanding and loving parents. How many more needs we could list! How many do we suspect we have!
Some needs we cannot even identify, yet they gnaw at us, and demands fulfillment.
Wise people have always brought their needs to God. That is the way God wants it. Jesus said " Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden. Take your troubles to church and leave them there. It is a dispensary to which you come loaded with cares, leaving them at church.
In the centuries before Christ was born, God's people approached God through the high priests, who presented the deep needs of the people to God. And then relayed from God the announcement of forgiveness.
This intercession of the high priest was usually accompanied by bloody sacrifices which were to point forward to the sacrifice of God's lamb, Jesus Christ, Not for the sins of the nation, but for the sins of the world. Finally Jesus came and supplanted the high priests by making a single saving sacrifice for sin on the cross and by making continuous intercession for us since his ascension to the right hand of the Father. It is our privilege now to come to the throne of God's grace and lay our needs upon His altar, and walk away.
You see "Our High priest Jesus Christ is worthy of our trust." He is appointed by God for this office with the commission: " Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee." " thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, priest and king of Salem (Jerusalem) type of Christ, the priest king (Heb 5:6-10; 6:20; 7). The other priests office was ended by death, But Christ priesthood goes on forever. We have a great high priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus, the "Son of God"... who is consecrated for evermore. He did not stop being our priest when He died; but by being raised from the dead. He continues in that unique office. At any moment when we may need His intercession, or help, he is available; and He doesn't resent night callers. Find your help in Christ. He not only functions on your behalf and knows how you are being troubled, but he earnestly invites you to come
to him.
So earnestly, does he crave your trust in him,he is brought to tears when this offer is scorned. The whole mystery of Christ had this purpose. In fact he came to earth to call all men to God. His every word was a magnet, for drawing all men to himself, even his dying on the cross. Every segment on earth was a response to our needs. Mary and Martha needed comfort; Here was there to give it. The women caught in adultery needed forgiveness, and a new life; and he was there to offer it. Peter, James, John, needed something important to live for, he gave it to them. Everyone in the world needed forgiveness. He earned it for all. Do you hesitate to bring your troubles to Christ, when you know all about him, especially when you hear him, with outstretch arms, saying to you: " If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink. (John 7:37). " I come that they may have life." and that they may have it abundantly. (John 10:10). He that comes to me, I will not cast out. The tragedy of Christ is that he stands there so often alone, or in company of very few, and has to say: you will not come to me and have life." (John 5:40). All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto disobedient and gain saying people. (Romans 10:21). Our needs are still unsatisfied because we have not responded to the gracious invitations of Christ. Listen he still calls! " Come unto me." He did not, even when on the Cross with arms stretched out, " Holy Blood" dripping from palms, should have convince us that he meant every word. But He did not stop pleading then and still does now, to show us he means every word. People do not realize they are playing Russian roulette with their soul, when they deny the call of Christ.
Remember this is not a bar of justice at which our high "Priest" stands but the "Throne of Grace."
That we may find "Grace" in the time of need.
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