I well remember a conversation between my father and a fellow church member, who both knew from experience the challenges and struggles of factory work. While I don't remember the exact words, this friend shared some words of encouragement with my father concerning a challenge he faced with work, and the words were helpful because they came from someone in a common situation.
If Jesus is totally and completely Creator God, as is commonly taught, then He isn't really one of us, and can't truly relate to our struggle as flesh and blood humans. But, He really is one of us.
"Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives" (Hebrews 2:14-15)
If the Immortal One took on flesh and blood and lived among us as God incarnate, perhaps He could better relate to His earthly creation, but how does One who is immortal die in order to defeat death? Either death is not death, or the Immortal One in reality isn't (which calls into question everything He said, did, or promised).
The focus of Hebrews two is not God Our Father, but rather Jesus, His Son. This Jesus was able to "partake of the same" flesh and blood existence that characterizes us, and, in His fleshly existence, truly died in order to defeat "him who had the power of death, that is, the devil". As such, he is able to free is from fear of death.
Jesus is one of us. I find tremendous comfort and encouragement in having a Savior Who truly understands. "For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). Our struggle was His struggle, and as such He provides help in situations He can truly relate to.
Knowing that this very human Jesus, now glorified and at the right hand of God, understands and brings to bear the full resources of the Father, it is little wonder that the apostle Paul would say, "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).
May our lives be focused on truly knowing this incomparable Christ as well.
Steve
If Jesus is totally and completely Creator God, as is commonly taught, then He isn't really one of us, and can't truly relate to our struggle as flesh and blood humans. But, He really is one of us.
"Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives" (Hebrews 2:14-15)
If the Immortal One took on flesh and blood and lived among us as God incarnate, perhaps He could better relate to His earthly creation, but how does One who is immortal die in order to defeat death? Either death is not death, or the Immortal One in reality isn't (which calls into question everything He said, did, or promised).
The focus of Hebrews two is not God Our Father, but rather Jesus, His Son. This Jesus was able to "partake of the same" flesh and blood existence that characterizes us, and, in His fleshly existence, truly died in order to defeat "him who had the power of death, that is, the devil". As such, he is able to free is from fear of death.
Jesus is one of us. I find tremendous comfort and encouragement in having a Savior Who truly understands. "For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). Our struggle was His struggle, and as such He provides help in situations He can truly relate to.
Knowing that this very human Jesus, now glorified and at the right hand of God, understands and brings to bear the full resources of the Father, it is little wonder that the apostle Paul would say, "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).
May our lives be focused on truly knowing this incomparable Christ as well.
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:16 AM
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