YOU CAN BE HONEST WITH JESUS!

HEBREWS 2:16-18: “For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” NKJV ‭‭ OBSERVATION: Have you ever tried to hide something from others? A failure, a misunderstanding, a grudge, a broken trust? Have you found yourself being tangled up in a web of unhealthy feelings and lies as you do this? Is there anyone you can talk to who will not judge you but will take the time to understand and come alongside you to help you? Is there anyone you can simply be totally honest with?

You can be honest with Jesus!

I will never forget the time I was thrust into a new challenge that was clearly over my head. Our company had purchased a candle manufacturing plant that was on the auction block, ready to be sold in pieces. I helped negotiate the sale so that we could purchase it in its entirety. Then, something happened that I was not ready for. The owners of the company took me aside and said,

Now, get it running!

I knew nothing about making candles. All I knew was there was a container, some wax, and a wick. Before me, was a sea of conveyor lines, filling machines, and empty cases of glass. Fortunately, we were able to hire back the former foreman who had candle-making experience. However, I was his new boss. I was in charge. And, I knew nothing about the process.

Candle-making is not a science, it is an art. There are so many variables that can change the way a candle will burn when it is poured. You have to learn to adjust to these variables every day. I knew that if I was going to understand my new role I would need to not simply observe the process – I would have to participate in the process. So, each day, I joined the workers on the line and learned each part of the job.

I can still hear their giggles as I struggled on the line. To make matters more challenging, all the workers spoke Spanish and I didn’t. They would help me and I would try to do the job to the best of my ability. Then I experienced something that I will never forget. The giggles turned into smiles. They were not condescending smiles. They were smiles of respect and appreciation. They saw me truly trying to identify with each one of them and understand their job and struggles.

This process of identification changed everything!

This is exactly what Jesus did when He humbled Himself and became a man. He did not simply look down upon us from His throne in glory. He came down to us in humanity, lived among us, worked as we worked, was tempted as we are tempted, and experienced the breadth of our suffering. Yet, He did this without sinning. In every circumstance Jesus overcame. This put Him in the unique place of being able to understand our struggles – while leading us out of our struggles!

Why are we drawn to others who have failed in life and cannot lead us from failure to victory? Why do we try and hide our true struggles from the Lord? I think the enemy tries to shame us into hiding from Jesus. The enemy tries to convince us that we have lost Jesus’ love because of our sins. Yet, Jesus is always waiting and always ready to help us.

• “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

• “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NKJV‬

We don’t have to hide our failures and sins from Jesus. We can come to Him and be completely honest with Him. He will not turn us away in anger and disappointment. Rather, He will identify with us and bring us to His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. In every situation we find ourselves in life we can be assured…

We can be honest with Jesus!

Lord, forgive me for the times I have tried to hide my struggle with temptation from You. Help me to be open and honest with You each and every day. Help me to remember that You came to live among us so that You could be a merciful and faithful High Priest who can understand our struggles and lead us into victory. This morning, I rejoice that…

I can be honest with Jesus!

In Jesus’ Name!