Able to help

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.  – Hebrews 2.17-18

Jesus taking on human form was really a big deal. Hebrews spends a lot of time talking about it and it is mentioned in a few other places as well. That one act accomplished a lot more than we might think about at first glance.

Most importantly of course is the fact because sin entered into the world though one man only a man could deal with the sin issue.

But there are other great truths.  

One of them is here. One of the reasons Jesus came in the flesh was that He could help us out in hard times. He suffered all sorts of trials and difficulties. He got tired. He got hungry. He never owned a home. He was rejected by His own people. He was denied by one of His closest friends. At the end He was abandoned by the men who knew Him the best and loved Him.

He went through all that – and yet He went on the cross. When His friends couldn’t even stay awake to watch for Him and pray He did not give up. He stuck to His purpose. I don’t really understand the idea of Jesus being ‘tempted’ but in some regard He faced temptation like we are.

So He understands when we are tested and tried and tempted. Of course, being God He already understood, but because He came in the flesh we can know that He knows and He is able to help us through our worst hardships and testing and trials and temptation.

God is ready and able to help me – what better help could I ask for?