Our Greatest Comfort
David Wilkerson emphasizes the comfort we find in Jesus' understanding and intercession during our times of struggle and discouragement.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that Jesus took on human nature to fully understand our struggles, including rejection and temptation. This allows Him to intercede for us with deep sympathy, especially for those who feel discouraged and alone in their faith. He illustrates this through the example of a struggling sister who feels weak and on the brink of giving up, yet Jesus intercedes for her, reminding the Father of His own suffering and offering grace and encouragement. Wilkerson reassures that Jesus' prayers bring comfort and renewal, demonstrating His compassion for our weaknesses. Ultimately, the message is one of hope, showing that we are never alone in our struggles.
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It was necessary for Jesus to take on human nature so He could go through everything we do on earth -- rejection, pain, sorrow, temptation. Though He was God in flesh, He endured the whole human experience not as God, but as a human, with all our frailties. That enables Him, our High Priest, to pray for us with tremendous sympathy: "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour [relieve, aid] them that are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).
Consider a dear, struggling sister. She loves Jesus but she is feeling discouraged, cast down, rejected. She thinks, "I've been deeply hurt and I have no one to talk to who really understands." Sometimes she wonders if God can forgive her for having such weak faith and she is on the brink of giving up.
Satan stands beside her, accusingly saying, "Look at this one! She has virtually no faith. What kind of Christian is she, God?"
Jesus sees her hurt and feels her pain. He knows that her faith is weak, that she is on the verge of giving up, so He comes before the Father on her behalf and begins to intercede:
"Father, I know what she feels because I've been there. I was rejected by My own flesh and blood. I was mocked by the religious crowd. Soldiers spat on me and put thorns on My head. I even cried, 'Why hast thou forsaken Me?' I sympathize with this woman, Father, and I have washed away her sins. I know she still has a heart for Me."
This is where Jesus' prayers for us come in: "Father, I would that she be forgiven for her discouragement. I would that she be given a new supply of grace from on high. Let the Holy Spirit come upon her with a special renewing of encouragement and give her a spirit of peace and rest. She is Mine, Father, and Satan cannot have her!"
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the woman feels encouraged. Grace is given to her through the prayers of our High Priest. He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities and He acts in mercy.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The necessity of Jesus taking on human nature
- Experiencing human frailties
- Understanding our struggles
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II
- The role of Jesus as our High Priest
- Intercession for the weak
- Sympathy in suffering
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III
- The impact of discouragement on believers
- Satan's accusations
- The need for encouragement
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IV
- Jesus' intercession for the struggling
- Prayers for forgiveness and grace
- Restoration through the Holy Spirit
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V
- The transformation of the discouraged believer
- Receiving grace and encouragement
- The assurance of belonging to Christ
Key Quotes
“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” — David Wilkerson
“Father, I know what she feels because I've been there.” — David Wilkerson
“She is Mine, Father, and Satan cannot have her!” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Remember that Jesus empathizes with your struggles and is interceding for you.
- Seek the Holy Spirit's encouragement when feeling discouraged or weak in faith.
- Trust in the grace and mercy of Christ to restore your spirit and renew your strength.