HEBREWS 2:14-18

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2007

HE HAD TO BE LIKE US

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. HEBREWS 2:14-18

Most people have a hero whom they wish they could be like. Have you ever heard of a hero who wanted to be like the person who thinks so much of him? No one would ever want to be less than they are.

This is why some have such a difficult time understanding that Jesus, God the Father’s Son, is both True God and True man. How could Jesus, who had all power, who was One with the Father from the Beginning, lower Himself to become a man, not like a man, but a man?

The writer to the Hebrews gives us the answer.

He had to be like us "to destroy the power of death, that is the devil."

He had to be like us "to release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (of sin)."

He had to be like us "that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation (payment) for the sins of the people."

Because He was like us He was tempted, He suffered, He was betrayed, He was denied and He was forsaken, yet unlike us, HE WAS VICTORIOUS. Jesus is the Hero who became like us. Because He did, we can turn to Him and follow Him to a Hero’s welcome in that House that has many mansions. Then we also will be VICTORIOUS. He has told me and He has told you that He has gone there to prepare a place for those who follow Him.

WE PRAY: Jesus, thank you for humbling yourself and becoming like me during your time on Earth. When you became like me you showed me how to endure suffering, how to give love, how to overcome rejection, how to teach, how to care for others. Because you have "been there, done that" you know what I need. Thank you for caring so much about me that You became like me. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

The only way you can live this devotion is to live as God leads you. Yet, this is not a simple thing to do. Even though you have, in faith, accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, Satan is still waging his battle and will try to lure you away. My suggestion then is that you offer a short prayer each morning, possibly something like this. Lord, thank you for becoming like me. I pray that you will guide me and lead me through this day and grant to me the wisdom and courage to follow. AMEN