Passing the Test...

by Phil Hadley

Hebrews 4 v14-16 says “Now that we know what we have – Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God – let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all – all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” (The Message)

They are going through agony. There is a pained expression on their faces. It is a real test. I am sat invigilating a mock A level exam. As they struggle with this moment, they are hoping that they will come out of it having done themselves justice. They trust that one day they will look back and realise that it was all worth it.

In the Christian life Jesus allows us to go through times of testing. They are never pleasant, in the same way no one likes exams. But they allow us to show what we are made of, and to do what we really believe. They are moulding us and refining us so that one day we will look back and realise that it was all worth it.

In the exam room the students are alone – just them and what they can remember, what skills they possess. By the looks on their faces, how they’d love to have that companion textbook, or that reassuring teacher telling them what to write. But they can’t and they are alone.

For the Christian however, we are never alone. Jesus is always with us, even through the time of trial. Even through the fire and the waters (Isaiah 43 v1-2). Even through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23). Nothing can separate us from the love of God. And we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathise with our situation, because he’s been through that and yet was without sin.

If you are going through a time of testing right now, reach out to Jesus and in prayer just tell him where you’re at. He longs to just lavish his love on you. Or pray for those you know who today are having a hard time of it. Just pour the love of Christ into their lives. May we all pass the test.