Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Hebrews 2:14
Have you ever tried to do a pull up? This proves to be the most difficult exercise for my body to do. I lift my hands, grab the bar, hang for a second, and then pull with all my might until my chin is above the bar. I started trying these about a year ago (though I’m not consistent). I’m able to complete 3 full pull ups, but after that my body gives out. I don’t have any more strength to pull any higher. Even after a year, my muscles haven’t made much progress. I’m sure there are several lessons I can learn from this, but today the one I’m reminded of over and over is that my flesh is weak. My physical body wears down, wearies, and deteriorates.
That’s what is so amazing about the Son of God, Jesus, being born in the likeness of men, made of flesh and blood like all humans. Jesus has no equal among other so-called prophets, saviors, or gods. As part of God’s working plan of redemption, God sent His Son into the world He created, filled with pain and suffering from the curse of sin, to live among us. Here are a few comforting reminders about Jesus coming to us in the flesh:
- Jesus did whatever it took to save you. You might think back to the Christmas season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Our Lord born as a baby, in an animal stall, to a carpenter’s wife. Imagine the infant cries for milk, the toddler learning to walk, or the young man enduring puberty. We worship the God who left the glories of heaven to live as a human. He came to us, into our world, that He might purchase us back from evil. He did whatever it took to save you.
- Jesus sympathizes with our weakness. In Matthew 4 we read of Jesus, a grown man, being tempted in the wilderness by His enemy, Satan. Jesus was tired and hungry (ever been there?) and His flesh was weak. With each tempting idea from Satan, Jesus responds with truth, and resists. Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus understands our weak bodies because He lived in one! But he never gave into temptation. As the Son of God, He remained faithful to His Father in Heaven, and showed us the way to do the same.
- Jesus overcame the flesh for all of us. The truth is Jesus came into the world to live as a human in order to die. Yes, that was the plan all along. Jesus knew betrayal, abandonment, mocking, beating, and crucifixion were coming. Like Hebrews 2:14 says, “only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had power over death.” Our Lord Jesus suffered our punishment for sin and died in our place. But He arose, conquering sin and death, making a way for us to receive eternal life by grace through faith. God overcame all of this for you! For this, we give Him praise!