Hold on to Jesus, who holds on to us

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How do you picture Jesus? Many pictures may come to our mind. In our study of Jesus’ nature, ministry and names, I have preached snapshots of Jesus as a Dirt Writer, Wave Walker, Parade Stopper and Chain Breaker. Maybe your picture of is of Jesus on the cross or having prepared breakfast after His resurrection.
However, you see Jesus, may your image of Jesus be expanded to see Him in His glorified position at the right hand of the Father. He is there ministering still today. He is a mediator, bringing God “stuff” to us and our “stuff” to the Father.
The mediator must have links with both sides to identify with and maintain the interests of both and represent each to the other on a basis of good will. That mediator is Jesus Christ. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
In an article I wrote recently, I called attention to Jesus ministry in heaven for us to the Father. Today, we see how His ministry is to us.
Jesus is a prophet. The Old Testament words speak of someone who is a spokesman of God, revealing God’s character and will to people. The words used to describe a prophet in the Old Testament are: ro’eh and chozeh. They stress the fact that the prophet is one who receives revelations from God, particularly in the form of visions.
Jesus perfectly fulfilled this ministry when He was on the earth. “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12:49-50)
Jesus even calls Himself a prophet. “In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day — for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!” (Luke 13:33) He declared God’s truth to people throughout His life.
Now He continues to proclaim truth to us through the Spirit. Jesus promised that the Spirit would take the things of God and teach them to us.
Are you confused about something in your life? Do you need direction. Jesus will show His truth to You. He promised.
Jesus works in us as Savior. Hebrews makes that perfectly clear.
Hebrews 7:20-26 “And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Today, we hear of this transaction from our perspective.
Jesus comes to us in the middle of our sin. He has paid for our salvation with His offering to the Father on our behalf. Once we accept His gift on our behalf we are completely, totally saved. Once and for all.
Jesus is a holy, blameless, and pure Savior. He can save us because of His nature. He is completely untainted by sin, isolated from it.
Salvation is a work done for us in the heavenly realm, but also done in us. He saves us, transforming us. Our sin is permanently, completely removed from us. That work is done once and for all, totally saved.
He is unlike the other priests. They had to make sacrifices for themselves. He makes one sacrifice for us, and it is enough to change us.
He helps us when we are struggle.
Jesus ministers to us when we suffer and are tempted because He knew what it was. “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Heb. 2:17–18). He faced sin and did not sin. He can help us do the same.
Jesus ministers to us when we are hurting, lonely and fearful. He lived on this earth and knows what we feel like. He walked through the dirt of this place and felt its pain. Because of that, He can come to us in our darkest hour.
He said to His disciple, “I will not leave you comfortless.” That is, we will never be like orphans. He promised to come to us, and He does.
So how do we respond to His ministry in us. We hear the words of Hebrews 4:14-15 and stand firm. Hold on to your faith. Hold on to Jesus who is holding on to us.
Dr. Mike Friesz is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Perryville. He may be reached by email at drmikefriesz@sbcglobal.net. Read more online at http://www. calvarybaptistperryville. com/blog.