Thursday, October 31

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

"In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.  Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.  So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters....

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.  For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.  For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.  Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:11,12,14-18)

At the outset of Hebrews, the author establishes the superiority of Christ over the angels and over Moses.  In this passage above, the author explains the fullness of Jesus's humanity.  In becoming human and suffering in our place, He opened the possibility of holiness for those who would receive and follow Him.  By His poverty, He made many rich.  By His stripes, we are healed.

Furthermore, vv. 14-18 underline how Jesus served faithfully as a high priest, making a once-for-all sacrifice to "make atonement."  By atonement, the Scriptures mean the "setting aside of wrath by an offering."  The offering here — the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ — sets aside the wrath of God intended as the rightful punishment for sin.  This sacrifice proves perfect because, in Himself, Jesus was both fully human and fully God.  He could therefore bring lasting forgiveness, whereas the only human priests of the Old Testament sacrificial system could not.

In addition, Jesus's humanity connects Him to His followers in another important way:  in overcoming temptation.  As Thomas Chalmers noted, we may find intermediate victory over temptation by replacing it with a greater, godly desire.  We recognize that, whatever the circumstances, the Lord Jesus Christ is familiar with our temptations and struggles.  The promise echoes:  "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (13:5)  Even in temptation, we are never alone.

The full humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ allowed Him to bring victory through the Cross and strengthening to His people in times of trial and temptation.Come, Lord Jesus, and draw near to us today.  Give us Your heart and Your love for those around us.  In Your holy and might Name, amen!