Fully God and Fully Man

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

— Hebrews 4:14–15

 

Before there was a world, before there were planets, before there was light, before there was matter, there was Jesus. Coequal, coeternal, and coexistent with the Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus was with God—and He was God. John 1:1–2 tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."

We cannot pinpoint the moment in time when there was the beginning, because John was going back in time to eternity past. He was going back further than our minds can imagine.

From Resisting to Resting

And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

— Genesis 32:28

 

Jacob, the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham, was a conniver. He just couldn't wait on God's timing. On the day that Jacob and his twin brother Esau were born, Esau came first, with Jacob holding on to his brother's foot. That is how Jacob earned his name, which means "heel-catcher."

When they were older, Jacob not only convinced Esau to sell him his birthright for some stew, but he also tricked their father into giving him the blessing that was intended for Esau. Esau wanted to kill him, so Jacob went into exile and ended up working for a guy he really deserved: Laban, who was as much of a conniver as Jacob was.

From Resisting to Resting

And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

— Genesis 32:28

Jacob, the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham, was a conniver. He just couldn't wait on God's timing. On the day that Jacob and his twin brother Esau were born, Esau came first, with Jacob holding on to his brother's foot. That is how Jacob earned his name, which means "heel-catcher."

Nowhere Else to Go

From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety.

— Psalm 61:2

 

A grieving father recently asked me, "What words helped you?"

I told him, "Well, I don't know what words helped me. I just know who helped me. And I know where I needed to turn. I need to turn to Jesus."

When we are burdened, when we are overwhelmed, we need to come to Jesus. There really is nowhere else to go. Jesus did not say that when you are burdened or overwhelmed, you should go to counseling. Nor did He say you should just go read a book, or even go to church or go hear a sermon—although these things are good. Ultimately, the answer is to go to Jesus.

Every Day in Every Way

"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

— Matthew 11:29

 

My wife is a very good driver. She is very careful. But I don't like to be driven around by my wife, because I am a consummate backseat driver. I am constantly giving her instructions: "Turn right . . . get in the right lane. Get in it now! Now! Okay . . . hurry! Go around that person. . . ." I think she has found it easier to just let me drive.

Many times, we can be that way with God. He says, "Give me the steering wheel," but we are saying, "Lord, speed up. Speed up! Speed up!! No, Lord, get out of this lane. I don't like this. Change this. . . . " But He wants to be in control.