Day 7 – January 7

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.  Hebrews 5:7 NLT  

There are three main concepts presented to us in this short verse.  Let’s look at  the last and work backwards.  Did you notice the attitude that Jesus approached his father with in prayer?  “Deep reverence” means “holy caution, inducing circumspect behavior and is illustrated by a person carrying a priceless Persian vase across the room – which will always be in a “devout” (respectful) fashion.”  

The second concept presented to us is the nature of his prayer.  The word “loud” here in the original language means “strong; mighty, powerful, vehement, sure.” The word “cry” here denotes “clamorous screaming (shrieking) that is extremely boisterous, like a wounded person emitting “unearthly” (non-human) types of sounds.”  It’s pretty intense.  Can you picture Jesus praying in a way that to us would have looked undignified?  Have you ever prayed like that before God?  Do you feel comfortable being that authentic with Him?  Jesus certainly did; which brings us to the most significant concept.

Let’s sit for a moment and take in who was praying.   Jesus wasn’t praying some model prayer just so we would know how to pray.  These prayers were fervent and they were authentic.  Has it ever occurred to you how much Jesus needed prayer?  Sometimes, in our effort to honor Christ’s full divinity, we miss that he was fully human as well.  Jesus demonstrates a complete dependence on his Father (John 12:49) that resulted in profound prayer.  If Jesus needed and relied on prayer, how much do we need it?

Heavenly Father, fill me with a healthy awe of you that results in a deep respect for who you are and what you say. Help me to understand my deep need to be completely dependent on you.  Draw me close to you and show me who you really are.  Increase my trust in you to the point I bring my real and authentic self to you.  Amen. 

Written By: Todd Stephenson