The word “baruch”  in Hebrew means to bless but also means to kneel, to bow down in humility. When Jesus came to earth He humbled Himself by becoming a helpless infant and then died a most humiliating death upon the cross simply to redeem fallen man. The Hebrew word is important because it reveals the fact that Jesus humbled Himself and blessed us simultaneously. Truly the proper response to such a blessing and humble sacrifice is to kneel.  

When I ruptured the discs in my neck the pain was excruciating , like none I had ever experienced.  During what seemed like the eternity it took for my son to arrive at the emergency room, I believe God allowed me to experience a glimpse of what it was like for Jesus to have been abandoned by his disciples, and for His Father to have withheld His presence.  Simply put....it was horrific.

The memory of the pain and loneliness I felt is still so fresh in my mind, that were it not for the fact that God has been using it to teach me important lessons, I would most certainly suffer post traumatic stress every time I feel a twinge in my arm or neck.  But I do not. 

When my youngest son arrived at the emergency room, the sense of loneliness began to lose its grip. When he took my hand, the pain somehow seemed more tolerable. I suppose it was not unlike the time this same son as a child broke his arm and I swept him into my own, whisking him away to the doctor. I would imagine that he was comforted by my presence and subsequent actions. Or the time my own mom scooped me up in her arms, my 9 year old body bloodied and bruised after my legs had been crushed by a boulder. The relief I felt as she held me tight to her chest was indescribable.  Somehow though the pain was still great, the comfort was greater. 

While reflecting over all of this, I gaze at a picture of Yeshua Jesus’ blood stained body. The crown on his His head seems to mock Him as though the thorns which pierce His flesh represent an infinite number of individuals.  Overwhelmed with gratitude I exclaim  “Oh Lord, that I could only have been there to comfort You.”   To which He quickly responds in my heart “You can. Kneel down before Me.”   

In that instant  I realize that every time I kneel, not just physically, but by humbling myself before Him, I bring joy and in a very real sense, comfort to my God and Savior. When I kneel before my Maker in humility, He teaches me how to deal humbly with my fellow man.  Perhaps that is what is missing in the world today. In fact.....what happened to kneeling in church?  This is a topic best left for another day I suppose.

Following is what I believe to be  a prophetic line in the beloved song “I can only imagine. I submit to you that it asks a very poignant question.

“Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall?”

Avinu (Father)by the power of your Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) please help me to learn how to kneel reverently and humbly in Your presence and not stand in my own strength. In the mighty name of Yeshua Jesus. Amane(amen)