He Walked In Our Shoes — Sunday Thought For The Day

The following was written for May 28, 2016, “Our Daily Bread” by Dave McCasland:
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To help his staff of young architects understand the needs of those for whom they design housing, David Dillard sends them on “sleepovers.” They put on pajamas and spend 24 hours in a senior living center in the same conditions as people in their 80s and 90s. They wear earplugs to simulate hearing loss, tape their fingers together to limit manual dexterity, and exchange eyeglasses to replicate vision problems. Dillard says, “The biggest benefit is [that] when I send 27-year-olds out, they come back with a heart 10 times as big. They meet people and understand their plights” (Rodney Brooks, USA Today).

Jesus lived on this earth for 33 years and shared in our humanity. He was made like us, “fully human in every way” (Heb. 2:17), so He knows what it’s like to live in a human body on this earth. He understands the struggles we face and comes alongside with understanding and encouragement.

“Because [Jesus] himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (v. 18). The Lord could have avoided the cross. Instead, He obeyed His Father. Through His death, He broke the power of Satan and freed us from our fear of death (vv. 14-15).

In every temptation, Jesus walks beside us to give us courage, strength, and hope along the way.

Lord Jesus, thank You for “walking in our shoes” on this earth and for being with us. May we experience Your presence today.

Jesus understands.

INSIGHT:
Having affirmed the superiority of Christ because of His deity (Heb. 1), the writer of Hebrews now focuses on His humanity (2:5–18). It was necessary for Christ to become “flesh and blood” (v. 14) so that He could “make atonement for the sins of the people” (v. 17). That Jesus—who was “fully human in every way”—had to suffer in order to save us is a constant emphasis in Hebrews (vv. 9–10, 17–18; 5:8–10). Jesus told His disciples many times that He must suffer (Matt. 16:21; 17:12; Luke 22:15; 24:26), and Isaiah prophesied it 700 years earlier (Isa. 53).

READ:Hebrews 2:10-18
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.