Wherever you are, Christ preceded you

For several years, I listened to Erwin Lutzer on the radio. He is the author of a book titled “Failure: The Backdoor to Success” (MoodyPress, 1975).

In his book, Lutzer gives the following illustration:

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"Many years ago, a father and his daughter were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance, they saw a prairie fire, and they realized that it would soon engulf them. The father knew there was only one way of escape: They would quickly begin a fire right where they were and burn a large patch of grass. When the huge fire drew near, they then would stand on the section that had already burned. When the flames did approach them, the girl was terrified but her father assured her, 'The flames can't get to us. We are standing where the fire has already been.'"

Lutzer’s point was that sometimes people drag their sins with them and do not acknowledge the forgiveness that God provides. But I found something different from that illustration. It reminded me that Christ has already been where we are. We may be standing in the midst of burned out or difficult circumstances. We may feel many challenging emotions each day but Christ has already been there. He experienced the emotions we feel.

Have you ever felt unappreciated? Jesus felt unappreciated. When Jesus was preaching to the people in His hometown, they did not have faith in Him.

Jesus said: “A prophet has little honor in his hometown.” (Mark 6:4) The people, who had seen Him grow up, did not recognize their home town boy as the Messiah, nor did they see the importance of His ministry. Jesus was unappreciated.

Have you ever been disappointed in people? Jesus was disappointed in people. When Jesus asked his disciples to watch and pray in the garden before He was to be crucified, Jesus found them sleeping. He was about to face his excruciating death and they were sleeping. (Matthew 26:40) Jesus was disappointed in His disciples.

Have you ever felt ungratefulness from people? Jesus knew that emotion well. One day Jesus encountered 10 men with leprosy. In that day, lepers were ostracized by society and leprosy was really a death sentence. Yet, Jesus stopped and healed them. Then they went on their way and only one came back to thank him. (Luke 7:11-19) Nine lepers were ungrateful even though Jesus had done something life changing for them.

Have you ever had your actions misinterpreted? Some misinterpreted Jesus’ actions and even more misinterpreted His purpose. When Jesus healed the lame man on the Sabbath, the Pharisees had a fit and said that He was working on the Sabbath. (John 5:1-47) Because of their extreme legalism, they could not appreciate the miracle that Jesus had just performed.

Have you ever been underestimated? Jesus was underestimated by those who knew Him best: His disciples. Jesus had been preaching to the scores of people. The disciples suggested that He send them away to town to get something to eat. Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” They told Jesus that they only had five loaves and two fishes, surely not enough to feed the crowd. It is interesting that the disciples had been with Jesus all those months and had seen Him perform miracles and still they underestimated His power. Jesus took the loaves and fishes and multiplied the food and fed 5,000 plus women and children! What seemed an impossible situation with the disciples was possible because of the power of the Lord. (Matthew 13: 14-21) His disciples underestimated Jesus.

Are you disappointed, frustrated, feel unappreciated, misinterpreted and underestimated? Jesus has already been there. "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us." (Psalms 62:8) He offers us peace when we trust Him.

Judy Brandon writes about faith for the Portales News-Tribune and Clovis News Journal. Contact her at:

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