Hebrews 2:16-18
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Jesus could have come to earth any way He chose. He could have had a kingly birth and sat on a throne ruling over the people of this world, or just of Israel. There could have been international coverage on the news of the royal birth, a new era in the kingdoms of this world. There would be a golden crib for him to sleep in, and covers of the softest fabric, woven especially for him. Lavish gifts could have been offered.
Or he could have come as a sharp and shrew business man, taking the corporate world by storm with his unwavering commitment to excellence and profit. He could have had the fastest rising stock on the NYSE. His sharp business man would have brought many to him to seek wisdom for their own business. He would have sat on many corporate boards due to his decision-making prowess.
Or he could have come as a dynamic motivational speaker, wowing crowds as he told them how to succeed in business and in life. He would have wisdom and dynamic stories to tell them of the3 ways in which they could thrive in life, love, business, and pleasure. He could have elevated even the meekest person, or the one who had no drive at all to do spectacular things. All who listened to him would have been blessed.
But He chose none of these ways. Instead, he came to be born in a stable with a bunch of smelly animals and the stench they leave behind. He made himself equal to us, lower than the angels, although the angels worshipped Him in heaven. He came in a place that was crowded and insignificant because they had no place to put him in any of the inns in town. He came in obscurity, for none to see except some lowly shepherds who had been told to come by those same angels that worshipped Him in heaven. They could not just stand by and let Him come with no one knowing, So, they came and heralded their song to shepherds in the field, not kings, or business men, or motivational people. Lowly shepherds. Jesus came like we would have back then. Nothing special except to a few.
In doing so, he showed Himself meek and lowly. He did not show Himself as the Son of God that he was. People saw Him continually having mercy on those He came near. Whether it was by His words or His touch, he was always faithful to show mercy. There was nothing special about Him except the amazing ministry He had. I love the epic movie “Jesus of Nazareth”. In it, Jesus is shown as one whose eyes could look right
Through a person, almost as if He could see their thoughts and heart. I imagine when he was on this earth, those eyes were real! He did not call Himself a priest, or a king, or a ruler. Simply the Son of God, simply the Son of Man. He was both at the same time.
But in reality, He was a high priest. The highest of all priests, The high priest was the one who took the blood into the Holy of Holies on the day or Redemption to make atonement for all the people – all of them. The blood of a perfect lamb, without spot of blemish. He came to offer His own blood, perfect and without blemish, for the sins of all the people. All the people for the rest of time. Me, you, your neighbor, your friends, your enemies, your co-workers. All the people. He faced the temptations of life, but he never gave in. He was the spotless Lamb of God! Yet He came as a man.
And because He came as a man, He faced the same temptations we all face. He faced the adulterous woman. He faced the angry crowds. He faced false accusations and rumors about who He really was. The devil himself came and tempted Him in the wilderness to follow the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Everything I have been tempted with he was tempted with. The difference is, He never gave in, or gave up. He stayed pure so he could be the required sinless sacrifice for sin. He also can now identify with what we go through and help us get through it ourselves.
Have you ever noticed that the best people to seek counsel from are those who have been through the same thing you are going through? The person who has had an abortion and now knows the downside is the best one to help a person avoid the pitfalls that come with that experience. The person who has recovered from an addiction, whether it be drugs, or alcohol, or pornography, is the best one to seek counsel from if you are battling the same demons. The person who is successful is the best person to seek guidance from for success in life. No matter what arena you talk about, you can learn more from someone who has been there then from someone who has not.
What have you been through? What areas of life can you help someone cope with? Are you reaching out in those areas and making a difference whenever you can? Personally, I have been through cancer. My long battle was successful. Now I am writing a book about that (it’s a slow process). I have been through addiction counseling and I can now help people to see a way out. I have had a successful marriage and can help people walk through the dark valleys that come our way, as I have with my wife. Those things I have been through make me a valuable person for others to talk to. Ask God where you can be a light shining in the darkness for someone else. Ask Him to bring people your way so you may shine that light of yours into their life and make them brighter! We are here for each other, not for ourselves. Make a difference today!
God's Maintenance Man 