“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (Hebrews 5:7).

What are you apprehensive about? What is it that lies in your future that makes you nervous or afraid?

Jesus knows what it feels like to be apprehensive. Jesus knows what it’s like having his soul overwhelmed. We get glimpses of it. Once Jesus said, “My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour’?” In the Garden of Gethsemane He said, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” We’re told that when He prayed His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Yes, Jesus knows what it’s like to face something big. He’s been there. But for Him it was infinitely worse than the big things in life that we face. He knew all about the sufferings that He was about to endure. Even more than that, He knew about the full cup of God’s unrelenting wrath, anger, judgment and punishment that He would completely drink for the sins of the world, yours and mine!

He knew what He was getting into and He could have left at any point…but He didn’t. He went into suffering, He went into death. Why? Because He wanted to save you!! He wanted to rescue you!! He wanted you to have eternal salvation!! What grace!

And if Jesus has won you eternal salvation, then He’ll continue to be with you and lead you through all those things of life until at last He takes you home to be with Him forever! What grace!

At peace in the grace of my Savior, just like you,

pastor