Note: What follows is an introduction I just wrote to a lesson on Mark 6:1-26 entitled "Changes in the Ministry of Christ." I thought it might be an encouragement to someone who is presently going through some great changes.
One of the facts of human experience is the changes we go through during the course of our time on earth. At one point, Job complained: "changes and war are against me" (Job 10:17). We lose a job or a loved one. Our health deteriorates. We move. All of these and many more changes are some of the great challenges we face in life. Often these changes seem to work against us (as mentioned by Job), but they also give us heavenly perspective and cause us to fear God. David said of the wicked, "Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God" (Psalm 55:19).
Since we often struggle with these changes, we need God to help us through them. We need Him to show us how to use them as stepping stones and not as stumbling blocks. Yet, how can an unchangeable God (?I am the LORD, I change not? ? Malachi 3:6) understand our changes? He does this through Jesus Christ who is both God and man. As God, He is unchanging (?the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever? ? Hebrews 13:8). As man, He experienced the changes of life and can help us through them when we have our own changes (Hebrews 2:18). Notice the three great changes experienced by Christ in this lesson and compare them to the changes in our lives. Truly, Jesus is able to help those who are going through great changes.
