Day 4: Spirit of Understanding 

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmaries; but was I call points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16

Of all the things that the Messiah needed, it was a Spirit of Understanding. For the purpose of the Messiah is found in John 3:17, that He was sent by God not to condemn, but to save. And how to save but to become the perfect sacrifice-and to be the perfect sacrifice to understand not only the need for one, but why we so desperately continue to fall at every attempt. And to understand that, He had to understand each and every aspect of our lives-what makes us ‘tick’. The trials we would face. The temptations that are there.

We though need to ‘understand’ this on a much larger scale. Often we are quick to say ‘if only you prayed harder maybe you wouldn’t fall into temptation’. All well and good, and prayer is something we need to be doing on a daily basis, but to blandly say ‘maybe you aren’t trying hard enough’ is NOT understanding the situation. I am not tempted by strong drink, but some in my family are. And I can see that they are trying desperately to battle it, prayer, intercession, everything else. And part of me wants to say: obviously they aren’t being serious about it’. But then I stop and start to consider some sins that I struggle with, and if I apply that same logic to myself, well…evidently I am just scum, lost to the universe never to be reconciled with God.

But the good news is that every disease has a cure-every temptation a relief-every sin a forgiveness. It all IS grace. Grace we receive from Christ and His perfect sacrifice. Because He understands-He gets it. He sees our struggles and knows that sometimes being ‘cured’ takes a very long time and a whole lot of the application of the medicine.

Do we WANT a savior that says ‘I forgave this sin once, why are you still doing it? Is there something wrong with you? I’m not wasting my time on you anymore’. Hardly. We want-we NEED a savior that comes along side of us and says ‘I get it. I’ve been there. I’m going to take away the guilt and shame and every time you need me to say “I forgive you” I will. I understand you are still growing, learning and struggling. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t need Me’.

Yes, we need to fight the temptation and struggles. And I can tell you first hand that no matter how hard you try, no matter how much you pray or read scripture or go to church-you are going to fail. And if you say ‘no I won’t’ then “woe to you, scribes and pharisees!” For YOU have just condemned an innocent Man-Jesus Christ-for absolutely no reason, because if YOU have no sin in your life, then you are a liar and guilty of murder.

So…what ‘spirit of understanding’ do WE need? Simple. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 that we ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We just need to understand that to start. Luckily for us, Jesus has the Spirit of Understanding. So He knows. And He knows we need that perfect savior. And He invites us openly to depend on Him not just now, but each and every time we fall.

Matthew 11:28-30
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden I light.