"He saved others, Himself He cannot save." Matthew 27:42
There is a distinct difference, I believe, between inability and incapacity. Incapacity suggests the absence of power, while inability may actually be derived from the very presence of that power. Thus, there are two things that may cause a man to say, "I cannot" - too little life and too much life.
"He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities." Isaiah 53:11
Never before had God seen a soul's travail. Sure, He had received countless offerings of the body as down through the ages sacrificial fires had blazed, torturing their involuntary victims. But, never before had there been the surrender of the human will, the travail of the human soul. Thus the heart of the Heavenly Father was never satisfied until there came One who was willing to delight in doing His will. But when Jesus came all other sacrifices ceased. He came giving nothing but Himself - His very soul. From Bethlehem's manger He poured out His soul unto death. From daybreak to mid-day He climbed the heights of Calvary. One by one He gave up the stages of His being. He surrendered His childhood in subjection, turned over His youth to toil, and delivered His manhood by walking down the Dolorosa. This was the travail of His soul.
I love Fridays. I really do. This is the day that recharges my personal battery for the week because this is the day that I set aside and strictly guard so I can spend time with my family. One of the lessons that I have learned from some of our empty-nesters and grandparents at Temple is to make the most of these early years with my kids because the years pass so quickly. I see that. I know that. It seems just like yesterday that I was holding Laura Kate in the delivery room. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was getting up multiple times during the night to feed or change Jack. Or wait, was that Benjamin? Now…well, they grow so quickly.
"Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth." Hosea 6:3
To "know the Lord" is indeed an audacious aim for a finite soul. Yet, I find that my soul is satisfied with nothing less. Night and day I beat at the walls of my prison. I struggle with the mystery that surrounds my being. I long for the only Light that can make sense of the darkness. I would surely be content just to touch the hem of the Master's garment as He passes by. However, to "know Him," to really "know Him" is no doubt the greatest gift of life everlasting.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8
The writer of Hebrews tells us of Abraham's divine call to go forward and found a new nation. In doing so, he teaches us that is a great mistake for us to think that faith is only necessary for heavenly, or spiritual, things. In fact, I find that I can't take a single step without faith in God's plan for my daily life.
"But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 32:23
I would have expected the Lord to have given a stronger denunciation, to have issued a more horrible threat to those who would dare disobey His divine commands. Wouldn't it have been more in keeping with our common view of God for Him to say, "If you do not do so, then take note, you've sinned against the LORD; and I'm going to strike you with lightening bolts from heaven?" Doesn't it seem a bit soft, and not a little silly, to tell men that if they break His law that the result of their sin will soon overtake them, and that the seed they sow will one day bloom into bitterness?" Is this kind of language what we would have expected from the omnipotent, majestic, holy God of Heaven? No, because we have never before thought worthily of His might and majesty. We have considered Him to be One who would simply destroy us if we failed to obey Him. However, the scripture tells us that it is not He who will destroy us, but rather it is we who will destroy ourselves. That's why He wants to save us from, well, us.