From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Jesus is not just another philosopher who graced the earth with His presence…He is God. Philosophy and philosophers may explain some tough issues but it does not change them. Jesus changed not only the issues but the people.

He didn’t stand by, separate and aloof from all of our suffering. He came to earth to suffer and to share in all we experience in the human existence. God is too big to come as God! He came in the form of man so we could even get near Him.

The scriptures have many examples of those who saw just the angels/messengers of God. When they did, they fell on their faces in awe and fear. Can you imagine what would happen if the “Boss” showed up?

No, in order for us to even hear Him, relate to Him, get close to Him…He had to come as one of us (at least in the bodily format). That meant He had to leave the glorious cleanliness and splendor of heaven to come to a sin-plagued, disease-ridden, societally-corrupted world in which He suffered just like anybody else.

So don’t get all bent out of shape about God not understanding suffering, debasement, false accusations, temptations and the like. He does care, so much so, He came to us, because we could not come to Him. He broke the sin barrier with His presence, and His presence in you can do the same. Endure the fire…it’s producing pure gold!

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