Acts 2:22a, 23-24, 32b-33, 36a - [Peter said] "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs ... this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised Him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it. ... of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ... Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, ...."

Everybody knows it's good to have friends in high places. It's much easier to get things done if you are friendly with someone in power. They can speak to others on your behalf, and cut through red tape if there's a problem. Whatever you're doing is going to happen more quickly and with fewer problems because of your friend.

This kind of help has gotten a bad reputation on earth because so many people abuse it. They use their friends in high places to cover up crime or other bad behavior. But it doesn't have to be this way. Witness Jesus—who has risen from the dead and is right now Ruler over all creation, seated at the right hand of God the Father.

There's no chance He's going to help us do anything shady! But that's not what we want, anyway, is it? We want His help with good things—trying to survive a personal crisis, for instance. There's no one better to listen and help when we're afraid or confused or in pain.

And then there are the times we're trying to help someone else—a family member who's ill, or a friend whose life is falling apart. Why shouldn't we go to Jesus for help? After all, He knows our pain. He shared in it when He walked this earth, God in human flesh. More than that, He carried our troubles Himself, all the way to the cross. As Isaiah says, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows ... He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4a, 5).

Through His life and death for us, Jesus has proved once and forever that He loves us deeply. And now that He has risen from the dead, we can come to Him in confidence. We know that it is true when the Bible says, Jesus "is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, You know my deepest needs. Help me with what I'm facing, and also the people I love. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever received help from a friend with more power and authority than you?

2. Are you in the habit of asking Jesus for help with your daily problems?

3. Tell about a time when the Lord helped you with something you couldn't handle yourself, big or small.

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 7-8    John 7:28-53

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