But this is one of those new-fangled temptations
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
It would have been enough for Jesus to take away the fear of death, but to do it after living a full life – just like we do – is the best.
It’s also so fitting that He wouldn’t cheat and beat death in some other way that we wouldn’t experience. Like when you’re having trouble at a job, struggling along, and the boss comes up, types in their override key, and then says “That’s the way you do it!”
I couldn’t do it that way! I’m not a manager. I don’t have the override key to make the cash register do whatever I want! I’m helpless!
But Jesus saw us in our helpless state. Victims of our own inability to resist sin and then the fear of death, God knew that the full display of His mercy and faithfulness had to be lived out right before our eyes.
Any strong hero can have a victory. God didn’t want to have victory, but also mercy. Sometimes we receive mercy when we see what God has saved us from and sometimes the mercy is in not knowing. God wanted us to know about our sin and the death we’ve been rescued from. He wanted us to know that He knows about our struggles. From the shame that Joseph and Mary had to navigate before Jesus’ birth and all of the way to a naked death on the cross, Jesus has been through it.
A priest is somebody that acts as the middleman between a person and their god. That’s the most generic definition you can get.
As Jesus became our priest, not only that but The High Priest, He also suffered and was tempted just like we are. That means every temptation we have, we can pray, “Jesus, You’ve been here before, and You’re here, with me, again.”
It might be new to us, but it’s not new to Him. He knows how to handle it.
–
You can get the Daily Bible Readings to your inbox via email every day by subscribing on our home page. Join the discussion on Facebook or Twitter.