This Day in History: 0000-03-20

March 20 – Hebrews 2:17-18 

Therefore, it was necessary for Him to be made in every respect like us, His brothers and sisters, so that He could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then He could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested. 

It has always been so easy for me to be deceived into believing that good people have easy lives. I have often believed that specific trials would not come my way if I could just be “good enough” to avoid them. But this passage from Hebrews reminds me that Jesus, the only perfect human to ever live faced suffering and testing just like we all do. His perfection did not save Him from it.  

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not claiming perfection, or even that I am “good,” for I surely am not! My point is not to elevate myself, but to expose the lie I too easily believe. On many occasions I have allowed the voice of the enemy to twist the words of Scripture, as he always does, into promises that were never given. At least, not in the way I wanted to believe them. It is my suspicion that I am far from alone! 

Precious friends, may we find such comfort in the fact that Jesus Christ Himself, the perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb of God understands our pain. He has suffered as we do… and more! He was betrayed. He has endured more rejection than we can even begin to imagine! He was beaten beyond recognition. He was falsely accused. Religious people called Him a demon. He knew the pain of loss, as Joseph (the man who raised Him as His father) died before He began His earthly ministry, and His beloved cousin (John the Baptist) was beheaded shortly after. In fact, the Bible tells us there is no pain or sorrow we face that Jesus didn’t know as well. 

Not only that, He was tested and tempted in every way we are as well! He knows how hard it is to live this life. He really, truly does. And yet, He managed to do it without sin. He has put at our disposal every tool He used to live victoriously. He’s given us the Holy Spirt, the Source of His power, as well as His own armor. He also stands as our High Priest in heaven, mediating for us under the New Covenant.  

Let us find so much encouragement from these truths! Let it empower us in our trials to fall into the arms of our Savior and accept the help He so freely offers! May His understanding lead us to His power and bring about victory!