Romans 8 is my favorite chapter in the Bible. In different seasons of my life, this chapter has been personally meaningful. I marvel at God’s love for humanity and the constancy of Jesus’ intercession on our behalf. He, Jesus, is our High Priest. When I think my prayers are inchoate mutterings, how comforting it is to know that one can take my struggling gibberish and present it to the God of the universe.
Scottish theologian Alan Torrance wrote about Christ as our High Priest and the comfort he received at a dark time in his life. In his book, Reclaiming the Continuing Priesthood of Christ, he wrote:
“In January 2008, my wife, Jane, died of cancer. She was the most wonderful Christian woman, wife, and mother. Watching her die in pain as the cancer spread throughout her body was hard, and seeing our children witness her gradual disintegration not only physically but mentally as the cancer spread through her brain was extremely hard. There were times when, in my grief, I really struggled to find the wherewithal to pray and, indeed, to know how to pray and what to pray for. In sum, I did not know how to pray as I ought. In the depth of that valley the continuing priesthood of Christ became more relevant than I can begin to articulate—the fact that as I held Jane in my arms, the risen, ascended Priest of our confession was present by the Spirit interceding on our behalf meant that we could repose in his presence and know that communion that is the beginning and telos [end] of everything.”
What powerful words! In the end of it all, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Thanks be to God.
This week’s reading:
Monday – 2 Peter 1-3; John 1
Tuesday – John 2-4
Wednesday – John 5, 6
Thursday – John 7, 8
Friday – John 9-11
Please Pray for:
Our Nation and Our Leaders
Phase 2 (Renovation of Current Facilities)
Phase 3 (Construction of New Youth Building)
For all those affected by the flu epidemic