Things I have Learned (part 1)

One of the things God has impressed upon me these past 8 days is loneliness. Not my own. I have been far from lonely. As a matter of fact, what I am writing about this morning has nothing to do with my feelings or emotions. I simply wish to share a lesson God taught me.

---

There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.

Leviticus 16:17

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

Revelation 5:1–5

---

During my hospital stay, there was a point in which I was in some pretty severe pain. As the tears flowed, God helped me see how people were by my side the whole time. It did not ease the pain in the moment, but I did see His grace and mercy. During that, God also showed me that Jesus did not have that comfort. His suffering was done all alone.

In my Bible reading this morning, I read Leviticus 16 and verse 17 stuck out to me. Aaron had to be in the Tabernacle alone. The sacrifice he was offering was a picture of what Jesus would do on the cross, and it required loneliness. No one was holding his hand, or encouraging him to keep going. He had to walk that path alone. He was a picture of what Jesus would and did endure for the sins of the world.

I immediately thought of Revelation 5:1-5 as I read this. We often read it with a sense of triumph because Jesus is worthy, but it hit a little different this morning. While we can celebrate that Jesus is worthy, I also saw the loneliness in this passage. Verse 3 tells us that there was no one worthy. Jesus ALONE was worthy. Even in the midst of triumph and victory, He stands separate.

That is what holy means. Holy is "set apart" from everything else. Jesus is holy and therefore He is distinct from EVERYTHING else. We can be holy, only because of Him. It is easy for us to say, "Well He is God". Yes He is, but He is also man. As a man, He feels the loneliness. It is also easy to say, "He chose this path". Yes He did, so that you and I do not have to walk it alone. The point is, Jesus took upon Himself the worst of the worst so that we do not have to endure it. He does not need our sympathy or pity, but we should absolutely give Him our worship. I'm so glad I have a God who understands me better than I understand me, and He walks with me through all of life's circumstances.

Thank You for teaching me. I can get so "me" focused that I miss You. Help me to never take for granted that You endured my suffering so that I could enjoy Your victory. I am blessed and never alone. You promised never to leave me nor forsake me.