Creator, Teacher, Savior, Intercessor, King of Kings, and Best Friend

Creator, Teacher, Savior, Intercessor, King of Kings, and Best Friend Devotional Reading and Podcast

“To Whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal? says the Holy One.” –Isaiah 40:25

From Genesis to Revelation, we read of Jesus’ overwhelming love for humanity. Sadly, like His disciples, many still do not understand that Jesus is our Savior and only Hope. Jesus Declares His Earthly Purpose to His Disciples: “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” –Luke 9:56

Jesus referring to Himself as the Son of Man has caused every religion other than Christianity to reject Him as the Son of God.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'” (John 14:6). “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

There are also growing controversies in the Christian community. Most believe that Jesus is God’s Son, He came to this earth, and died on the cross, but deny that complete surrender and obedience are required to have a heart-to-heart relationship with Him. Nor do they believe that Jesus’ command to fulfill The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 to witness and make disciples applies to today’s Christians.

The price of disbelief is costly! Disobedience determines one’s destiny leading to the loss of the reward of eternal life.

What is Jesus doing in heaven now? Jesus’ commitment did not cease when He said, “It is finished!” on the cross. Jesus, our Savior, and High Priest is continuously working on our behalf as our Heavenly Intercessor.

“…It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).

“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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16-17).

Although we are born in sin and shaped by iniquity, the apostle Paul tells us that Jesus is the Source of grace and mercy and we can approach Him with confidence through our prayers. Because of our sinful natures, we also require intercession from the Holy Spirit. “Now, in the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…”(Romans 8:35).

Salvation and Redemption extend beyond Jesus’ crucifixion. The message that Jesus saves is relevant today and will remain until the day of Jesus’ Second Coming. Prayer is vital in the believer’s life. We pray to God, and the Holy Spirit intercedes by transforming prayers from sinful beings into acceptable groanings to be received by our Heavenly Intercessor, the Perfect and Holy Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus, Our Best Friend–“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).

Whether we are in the valley from trials and sorrows or on the mountain highs from victorious outcomes, we have a Best Friend who tells us to approach Him at any time. Prayers for God’s help always receive Jesus’ immediate Divine Intervention. “It will come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

The ability of the Holy Spirit to intercede for an infinite number of people at the same time is a mystery. Not every prayer receives an immediate answer, but the prayers of forgiveness, help in times of distress when facing the temptations of spiritual warfare, and before studying the Scriptures are answered before we pray. We should be in awe of the Omniscience of the Godhead. During our prayer, the Holy Spirit comforts, strengthens, and gives us peace, and wisdom.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”(Romans 12:2).

When our minds are in a state of confusion by Satan’s many deceptions, false teachings, liaisons with sinners appearing to be saints, and decisions regarding financial offers that would eventually bankrupt us, Pray! We do not have to succumb to the enemy’s spiritual warfare, pray for discernment from the Holy Spirit first!

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NLT).

God’s thoughts and ways will remain a mystery until the Second Coming of Jesus and we receive the completion of our Spiritual Transformation. With the measure of faith that we received, we believe and accept that Jesus is the Son of God, He is the second person of the Triune Godhead, and is in the Heavenly Sanctuary serving as our High Priest and Intercessor from whom we receive grace and mercy.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.” –John 1:1-3

The apostle John validates that Jesus was always present with God, His Father from the beginning of time. The Word is Jesus Christ who created the world and everything in it. From the commitment to die for us before creating humanity in His image to His lowly birth and gruesome death on the Cross at Calvary, Jesus demonstrates a heart filled with an overwhelming Agape love that we will never understand in our earthly existence.

By studying the life of Christ, we have evidence that He has always welcomed us with open arms. Jesus’ earthly life and ministry are documented in the Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as witnessed by four men–Matthew and John, two of the twelve disciples, and Mark and Luke, two followers of Christ. The Son of Man’s sacrificial love is evident in His teachings, outward display of love and compassion, the innumerable miracles of healing, and His responses of reassurance.

Agape love revealed itself through spoken words of encouragement and comfort which provided spiritual and emotional healing to everyone who believed. Jesus displayed gentleness and kindness to those with whom He interacted.

To the woman with the 12-year history of the issue of blood [that in faith] touched the hem of His garment, He asked, “Who touched Me?” When she made herself known, Jesus was aware that she was fearful. But with gentle words, He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48).

And to Jairus, the father who was distraught because his daughter was dying, Jesus gave words of comfort by telling him to have faith.

“And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter lies at the point of death…While He was still speaking, messengers came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.'” (Mark 5:verses 22, 23, 35, and 36).

Still, my favorite New Testament story is the Feeding of the 5000 plus when Jesus displayed His never-ending love and longsuffering toward the disciples who were faithless and self-centered.

“When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ ‘They do not need to go away,’ Jesus replied. ‘You give them something to eat'” (Matthew 14:15-16).

What a busy life Christ led! Day by day He might be seen entering the humble abodes of want and sorrow, speaking hope to the downcast and peace to the distressed. The poor and suffering received the greatest share of His attention. Children loved Him. Humble, gracious, tenderhearted, pitiful, He went about doing good, feeding the hungry, lifting up the bowed down, comforting the sorrowing. None who came to Him for aid went away unrelieved. Ellen G. White

With parables and sermons, Jesus provided the opportunity for Salvation and eternal life to all who believed. Jesus, the Teacher gave hope and healing to those who were impoverished, cast out, rejected, and oppressed by the hypocritical Pharisees who viewed themselves as the “righteous upper class. Jesus was approachable and He interacted with the publicans and sinners who were despised by the leaders of the synagogues.

The Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5 is a powerful sermon full of promises that uplifts the downcast soul. Jesus’ sermons provided clarity that it was not the rich oppressors who would be rewarded by God.

“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:1-12).

Through the study of the Scriptures, we learn of Jesus’ character of love, meekness, and longsuffering [patience]. He called twelve rugged and rowdy men–at least three or four were bullies and one was a thief to become His disciples. Even though they observed Jesus’ loving character, their spiritual vision was blinded because they had an agenda built on selfishness and the desire for an elevated status in society. Their primary concern was, “Who would be the greatest?”

Despite their many character flaws including faithlessness, Jesus lovingly persevered with His twelve disciples. In John chapter 17, Jesus’ prayer for the disciples gives evidence of their spiritual transformation. “For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You, and they have believed that You sent Me” (John 17:8). All were converted except Judas of Iscariot.

Our Savior’s love and longsuffering along with His method of teaching is an example for us when witnessing. The outpouring of Jesus’ love was felt by the recipient and provided spiritual healing. The multitudes not only followed Jesus because He healed their mental, emotional, and physical maladies and performed miracles to alleviate their physical hunger, Jesus was a Balm to the destitute whose hearts were broken and scarred.

John the disciple whom Jesus loved because he had the desire to have the Character of Christ ends His Gospel with a loving summary of Jesus’ work on earth. “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen (John 21:25).

Where do we stand in our relationship with Christ? Is He our Savior and Best Friend?

Approximately 2000 years ago, on this earth, Jesus provided hope and healing to all who would receive Him. In 2023, we live in a world full of broken people who feel unloved and hopeless. Globally, countless individuals have never heard of Jesus or if they have, they do not possess the knowledge of Jesus Christ as a Savior. We have work to do! It’s time for us to follow Jesus’ example. We must do more than attend church, pray and study the Bible, and listen to sermons. Our Commission is to Go!

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” –Micah 6:8

As disciples living in the last days, Jesus gave us the command to share the Plan of Salvation with the unloved, abused, neglected, anxious, worried, depressed, and weary. We are the beacons of light that shine and reflect the love of Christ. Every believer is called to alleviate the anguish of hopelessness. Someone needs to know that Jesus loves them.

The message of God’s love and Salvation are not complex, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Give hope! Everyone needs to know, “Jesus loves you and if you believe in Him, you will have eternal life. And yes, He promises to bring comfort to your broken heart.”

Scripture: “For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40).

Prayer: God, we pray for a spiritual transformation of our hearts. Lord, we have lost our love, and compassion along with the desire to tell others about You. Forgive us for the self-centered spirit we possess. We pray this prayer of surrender and commitment to do Your will. Anoint us with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Give us the boldness to tell everyone that we interact with that Jesus loves them. We ask this prayer in the Loving and Worthy name of Jesus, Amen.

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