Dear Church of the Open Bible,
Along with many others, our kids began another year of school this week. There were mixed emotions in our house, from excitement to nervousness, and everything in between. As we talked through trusting God and being thankful to Him, Brittany and I sought to encourage them with the fact that we’ve walked that road before. But it can be hard for kids to imagine that their parents were like them once. Like seeing a teacher outside of the classroom, it’s difficult to imagine your parents struggling to make friends and do well at school. But the encouragement hits different when it comes from someone who knows what we’re going through.
A while ago, I was reading through the book of Hebrews with a friend, looking at the nature and work of Christ. Over and over again, we noticed how Jesus, the Son of God, was fully human apart from sin, and so He can sympathize with our weakness.
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” - Hebrews 2:17–18
Jesus knows the frustrating limits of our physical bodies. Jesus knows the struggle of disappointment. Jesus knows the weight of loneliness. Jesus knows the grief of loss and betrayal. Jesus knows. And that means He is able to help us when we are tempted. He has satisfied God’s wrath against our sin and enables us to live lives that glorify God. Let us consider Christ today and that He knows what we’re going through and provides a way for us to experience abundant life through Him.