Week 15- April 7-13, 2024: Jesus Defends Me

This week’s daily readings:

Week 15 - April 7-13, 2024

This week’s devotional:

Jesus Defends Me

By Rt Rev Brian Bethke

Scripture:

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

~ Hebrews 4:14–16 

Reflection:

I couldn’t believe I had done it! I just stared at it. I wondered how long I could hide it. I was so tired of being the responsible kid. It was time to embrace who I thought I really was. The rebel! So, at the age of sixteen I decided it was time to show my parents that I was calling the shots. On a warm spring day, after lifting weights with my football team friends, I jumped into my truck and went to the tattoo parlor and got my first tattoo. 

Did I lie about my age to get the tattoo? Yes. Was this against the dress code of my conservative Christian high school? Yes. Were my parents going to freak out about this? Yes. Yet, despite all of this it seemed like a great idea. That was until it was done. I just stared. 

What was the problem? The problem was not the tattoo itself. The problem was the motivation of the heart behind the tattoo and everything that transpired to ensure it happened. As I stared I felt shame and fear. I felt distant from God.  

Have you ever felt like God was distant? Like He couldn’t hear or see you, and even if He did, He would not care - or worse - not like what he saw? The good news is that, even if we feel like that sometimes, the truth is God cares and knows exactly how we feel! Jesus ensures that. Even in our failure when we feel shame and fear, the righteousness of Christ is ours by faith, and we can boldly approach God and receive mercy and grace.

What do you need to go boldly to the throne of God with right now?

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, I know I’ve done wrong. I know full well the rules I’m called to live by, and yet I seem doomed to choose my own way over and over. I thank you now for your amazing grace that covers my sin and lets me remain in your love. And I know it’s your Son, my Heavenly Savior who steps forward to defend me every time! I will forever be grateful for the gift of Jesus and having him as my advocate. Even though I’ve done wrong, he’s there on my side. What a precious gift that is! Amen