Embrace His Life on Earth
His Humanity – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 4:12-16

Key Verse: Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.

To embrace the life of Jesus, we must understand that Jesus was fully human as well as fully divine.  Jesus was not “play acting” as He walked among men.  He was a man, with all the limitations and emotions that we humans feel.  It is true that He accomplished great miracles, but we must realize that these were made possible by His great faith.  Jesus left heaven with all of its unlimited power and beauty.  Jesus took on humanity with all of its limited capabilities.  Jesus left one community that He had spent time in and said He could not do many miracles because of their lack of faith.

            Our scripture for today reminds us that Jesus as a human felt all the temptations that we feel.  This verse is not exaggerating: “He was tempted in every way, just as we are” (Hebrews 4:15b).  It is hard for us to imagine that Jesus, the Son of God, felt inner desires to do wrong things, but that is what temptation is: an inner thought—a desire to do something we know we should not do!  If Jesus was truly tempted, He had to feel the full force of these urges.

            The scripture quickly adds that Jesus faced all these temptations and defeated them; He did not sin!  Tomorrow we will look at how Jesus was so successful.  (Continued)

Father, it is amazing that your love for me allowed Jesus to leave heaven to live our life.  I praise you for such love!  In Jesus’ name, amen.