Tears of Joy

It has been a while since I have been brought to tears from scripture or a sermon. I come to you today being man enough to admit that this streak has ended.

Hebrews 2:9-11

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.  10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.

This right here, this passage is the one that got me. I have never really struggled with feeling that I was loved by God. I am a Christian, I know that He loves me, I know that He died for me. This is a truth that I have known and believed since very early on in my conversion. But there was something about these passages today that spoke to a hurting heart.

Our God, who became flesh, who tasted death so that I do not have to. The God whom through all exists, the God that loves me for reasons I cannot possibly conceive, this God calls me brother.

Before you or I run the risk of becoming prideful, it needs to be said that this speaks only of His character and not of ours. He came and died so that a way was made for us, not because we were worthy, but because He is good. The Man who was nailed on that cross by my sins will not turn away from me. Verse 12 says, "He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises." Not only has He died for me, not only will He not be ashamed of me, He will claim me!!

In reflection on this I will take this time to appreciate what He has done. He has reached down and pulled me out of the depths of the Hell I am so wholly deserving of. He has been made flesh and experienced the same (and worse) trials and difficulties I have faced so that He, "might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people" Hebrews 2:17.

My Savior cares for me, my Savior understands my struggles, and my Savior will not abandon me. Praise God for His perfect love. And praise God that we who are His, He calls brother and sister.