Only human

Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God – Jesus, the Son of God. Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. Les us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it. (verses 14-16)

Read Hebrews 4:14 – 5:6

We want our political leaders to be beyond reproach. At least it seems that way when the media splashes around the latest scandal about some leading figure. What I find odd is that the individual involved is usually not doing anything abnormally evil or unusual. Quite the opposite is true. They are simply acting like many other people in society. Yet somehow we want them to be better than us. If they are going to be leaders, they need to show they are above all the corruption and problems of our world.

How strange, then, that God, when putting into effect his plan to rescue us from sin, death and the devil, did just the opposite. He sent a saviour, Jesus, who was in every respect just like us. Jesus experienced all the temptations that you do every day. He wrestled with the same feelings, both good and bad, that you do. He experienced the highs and lows of life, had the same physical needs, and was in every way like you.

So you can’t accuse Jesus of living in an ivory tower or not mix it with the real world. In being different from that, he shows how much he loves you. That’s why you can approach God with confidence.

Thank you, heavenly Father, that I can approach you, confident of your love for me, Amen.

by Pastor Tom Peitsch, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)

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