The saints find comfort in the knowledge that God controls all things, and all things that happen come from His decree. The book of Job makes it clear, that the tribulation Job suffered was from the Lord.
The death of Jesus was a further example. The disciples could not understand why God would not stop the crucifixion of Jesus, because they did not understand God's purpose in it. Meanwhile, Christ was doing the awful work to save His people from sin and judgment and bring eternal life to all who trust in Him!
One thing Job yearned for in his horrible trials was a Daysman, or an intercessor or mediator, between himself and God. Job complained of the great inequality that exists between himself and the Almighty, and wished there were someone who could plead for him.
Believers have now what Job did not have: we have a Savior, a great High Priest, our Lord Jesus! By the incarnation, we have God with us in the flesh! Our Jesus is both God and man, and therefore, He is the perfect intermediary between God and man.
Christ represents us to God on an equal footing with God, as He is the Second Person, God manifest in the flesh. Indeed, Hebrews tells us that Christ is the very image of the Godhead, and the brightness of His Glory!
Because Jesus was given a body, in which He would suffer in the place of His poor sinful people, He has been perfected as our high priest. He has suffered in His humanity, and is a merciful and faithful high priest to make reconciliation for the sins of His people.
He can encourage and sustain His people, because He Himself has suffered in the same trials and temptations as His people.
Christ has fully experienced all our sorrows. |
