As is my daily habit, I pull my 3 teen boys outta bed for breakfast, BIBLE, chores
and school. In that order. Every weekday. Pretty much.
One morning last week I took a detour from our study of Hebrews and spoke a
word that GOD had laid on my heart. It went something like this...
“Boys, did you know that JESUS came from a big family? Well, HE did. And we
know that because the BIBLE tells us HE had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. (Matthew
13:54-57) And those are just the siblings recorded. Maybe HE had more, I
don’t know. But JESUS lived with at least 9 people in a small house. 9 people
of different ages, different personalities, different preferences, and different
opinions.”
“And boys, did you know that JESUS’S family was poor? Like really poor?
And we know that because they had to buy turtle doves for their sacrifices, not
animals like sheep and goats.” (Luke 2:24)
”I’m sure you remember that somewhere along the way, JESUS’S earthly dad,
Joseph died. That means that JESUS lived in a single mom home.”
“Soooooo...JESUS grew up in a large, poor, single mom home. Notice any
similarities to your lives? You boys are in good JESUS company. JESUS has been
through everything you have been through and more. The SCRIPTURE says we
share in CHRIST’s power and in HIS suffering. (Philippians 3:10) It is good for us
to do that. It’s good for you to do that.”
“And catch this one kids. As horrible as it was for our Savior to suffer and
die...as terrible as the physical pain and torture of the beatings and whippings
and scourging’s and nails...the very worst thing for JESUS was when HIS FATHER
turned away from HIM. Yes, because of all the worlds SIN laid on JESUS, the
FATHER left JESUS, the FATHER walked away from the SON.... right when JESUS
needed HIM most....that act of abandonment caused JESUS the most unbearable
pain...and JESUS cried out “Father why? Why have you left me?” (Matthew
27:46)
“Alright boys, GOD is writing your story. And HE has planned your path. He knows
all your history and every unfair, wrong thing that has been done to you. And He
feels your pain...cause HEs been through your pain. Now some of you are trying
to swallow your pain down, some of you might want to puke it up....but however
your choosing to deal with your pain you have a friend in it...who has been there.”
“And good news boys, that FRIEND will never abandon you or forsake you. HE
will never turn away... never walk away...never leave you alone. Never. HIS heart
is for you. HIS ear is bent toward you. HIS love washes over you. And HE gets it.
HE really, really gets it. Cause HE has lived the life your living.”
I stop and look intently into each one of my baby-turned-to-young man’s faces.
My eyes swell with tears as I feel their pain for them. My boys quietly return my
gaze. Everything is still. Everything is sober. My middle son finally ventures to
break the silence and speaks, “You know...I was just wondering...if JESUS’S mother
was as crazy as you are?”
Bah da bing bah da bang.