Awaken The Dawn

Discovery of an Amazing Treasure

tion. Jesus Himself “learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” 27 Through the years I thought of Jesus as having total, independent spirituality and power from the beginning of His ministry. However, after researching His life of prayer, I found that the Son of man depended very much on His heavenly Father’s directions and blessings. Jesus’ obedience to His Father’s directives did require disci- pline. It was this control, together with His sincere desire and His ability to experience joyful delight which were manifested in His powerful prayers that enabled Him to overcome temptations and trials of the flesh. Because Jesus Himself endured the same struggles we experience, He is a most sympathetic intercessor at the right hand of God the Father. Hebrews 2:17, 18, show a caring Christ who understands our constant strife but who also assures us of His hand:

Therefore, He had to be made like (“to be like us, His brothers,” Living Bible ) His brethren in all things that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come (immediately!) to the aid of those who are tempted.

Many of us like to claim the provisions of Luke 11:9, 10, when we pray: “ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.” This translation, however, can be misleading. A superfi- cial interpretation would take a person directly from desire to delight—simply receiving because one asks. But

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