THE VERSE
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.~Hebrews 2:17 (NIV)
THE THOUGHT
For two reasons, Hebrews says, Jesus had to be made like us, fully human in every way: in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest, and in order to make atonement for our sins. Yesterday we saw how the incarnation enabled the immortal God to die for our sins; today we will turn our attention to the first reason that the author of Hebrews gives for the incarnation.Jesus had to be made fully human in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest. In Israel, the High Priest interceded for the people before God, presenting the prayers of the people to God. This human office pointed forward to a greater reality: one day, a Messiah would come who would be a perfect, Great High Priest, making atonement for sins and interceding for His people before the throne of God. Jesus is that High Priest, and here we learn that He became human in order to fulfill that role. In order to be a merciful high priest, He became "fully human in every way." Hebrews goes on to explain what the incarnation means for us: "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
Think of what this means! Every day when you come to God in prayer, you are praying to a human God. Jesus understands and identifies with our weaknesses. He Himself has suffered like we suffer, was tempted like we are tempted. He was tired and cold and hungry. He was misunderstood and mocked and rejected. He was beaten and tortured and crucified. We have a God who understands suffering, not just in the way that God understands everything, but by experience. We pray to a human God. Right now as you read this devotional, Jesus Christ is interceding for you before the throne of grace. As you go about your celebrations this Christmas, Jesus Christ is pointing to the wounds in His hands, pleading His blood on your pleading One of the greatest joys of Christmas is the joy of knowing that in all of our suffering and heartache and sin and grief, we have a merciful and faithful High Priest, fully human in every way.
THE PRAYER
Jesus, Even now You stand before the Father, fully human in every way, still bearing the scars of Your incarnation and crucifixion. What a thought! Help me to remember Your love for me, Your nearness to me, and to continually draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.EXTENDED READING
Hebrews 2:14-18Hebrews 4:14-16
Romans 8:33-34
THE QUOTE
"The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus Christ is our great High Priest and, as you know, the function of the High Priest in ancient Israel was to intercede before God on behalf of the people. Do we realize what this means? Today, as we carry on the activities of our lives, Jesus Christ is praying for us." ~Richard Foster
No comments:
Post a Comment