Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
The groaning of Jesus along with us is intensely personal and purposeful. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit [Himself] maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” The Greek word behind “groanings” here is defined as moaning jointly, experiencing a common calamity, groaning together. Certainly this shared groaning is a result both of the general condition of mankind and of individual troubles. It also refers to the specific issue of difficulty in praying. How small and even empty our words of supplication sometimes seem! Here, though, is powerful incentive, powerful encouragement, powerful help. Note also verse 34, which assures us that Jesus Himself is in heaven making “intercession for us.” Thus, Jesus, God the Son, is working within us through God the Holy Spirit and “at the right hand of God” the Father to empower our prayers, no matter how feeble or inarticulate they may be. Let us, then, continue to pray.