This morning the faucet was broken in the bathtub and Mac had to go to the hardware store to get parts so he could fix it. It didn’t take him long and again we have water!
When something is wrong you have to fix it. But not all things are an easy fix.
I enjoy the fellowship of sitting around the table with friends eating together or just talking. Best of all is when we discuss the Bible. Fellowship is a mutual sharing of interests and goals. But since our thoughts are not GOD thoughts and our ways are not HIS ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) in order for GOD to have fellowship with mankind something had to change.
It wasn’t a simple fix, but to begin the process JESUS the eternal SON of GOD took on human body so HE could suffer (Hebrews 2:9). The eternal SON of GOD- the ONE through whom all things were made, got a human body formed in the womb just as all humans. HE was unique in that HE had no human father, but GOD placed the eternal SPIRIT of GOD the SON/ JESUS within Mary’s womb.
JESUS had to have a human body so HE could suffer. Although so wonderfully great and earth-shatteringly crucial HIS death on the cross which paid for the sins of the world (Revelations 1:5) and disarmed the evil principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15) was just the conclusion of a life of suffering. For as we see in the wilderness at the beginning of HIS ministry (Mathew 4:1-11), during HIS life’s work enduring attacks, rebukes, insults, and then in the garden the night before HIS death (Luke 22:41-45) JESUS also suffered temptations of every kind.
Hebrews 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest (JESUS), that is passed into the heavens, JESUS the SON of GOD, let us hold fast our profession (of faith in HIS finished work). For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points (JESUS was) tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
But WHY?
Hebrews 2:10-11 For it became HIM (it was a fitting according to GOD’s divine nature), for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain (leader) of their salvation perfect (ready for the work HE was to do) through sufferings. For both HE (JESUS) that sanctifies (sets apart and makes holy) and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause HE (JESUS) is not ashamed to call them brethren,(fellowship).
Although I don’t know all the ends and outs of why JESUS had to have so many sufferings. The verses we see here show us it was: 1-to pay for our sins so we could be reconciled (have fellowship with) to GOD 2-so we could see JESUS understands us in our weaknesses and so can help us when we are troubled or tempted 3-shows us that it is through suffering that we become perfect (made complete and ready for every good work).
#3 is what caught my eye as I read in Hebrews 2:14-17 this morning. JESUS (the ONE leading believers/ that is bringing many sons to GOD-sanctifying us) was made perfect (ready to help us) through sufferings (notice that is plural) so that we could see that suffering is a necessary part to get us ready (sanctify us) for whatever GOD has for us to do.
Like in the game ‘follow the leader’ the ones following are to do what the leader does. In the same way we are to follow our leader JESUS in how HE lived and what HE endured (Hebrews 12:2-3).
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of our faith (Romans 10:17); who for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace (to JESUS our High priest), that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 