Lent 2022 Day 38 “Been There Done That”

Hebrews 2:10-18 New International Version

¹⁰ In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. ¹¹ Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.¹² He says,“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters in the assembly I will sing your praises.¹³ And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” ¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Been There Done That

Today is day 38 of our Lenten journey. Each day we have been confronted by many opportunities to become distracted and despondent. Just because we have made a commitment to draw closer to the creator and more intentionally release control of our lives, does not mean our adversary the devil, leaves us alone. In fact, it is when we are focusing on being stronger that the enemy will appear to fight harder to show us how weak we really are. We are not alone. If you have ever been the driver on a long drive you probably can appreciate the value of having company. Even if the company falls asleep it is often comforting just knowing you are not alone. Now if you are like me, when your company falls asleep there is this moment when you think, “Man I’m the one doing the work and you can’t stay awake”. This mixture of appreciation and consternation is similar to what The Christ must have felt from time to time. We see in scripture how the followers of The Christ would be faithful one day and flaky the next. It’s easy to quit or make excuses when no one we know has successfully navigated the road we have to travel. This drives us to our scripture.

Our text from Hebrews 2 reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. In Jesus as our high priest we have a savior who has worn humanity. When I weep Jesus understands because Jesus wept. It means when I am tempted to quit Jesus understands because he said “Father if it’s possible let this cup pass from me. Being fully human means Jesus understood disappointment when the fig tree looked like breakfast but it was empty. We have a savior who heals us through his pain. A savior who delivers us through his own discomfort. We have a friend in the Christ who is an example for us because he became one of us. The Master endured all these trials and tribulations and remained faithful so that we would know that it can be done. When we are tempted and tried on every side, we have a Savior who can say “been there done that, don’t quit”.

As you go through today and face temptations of many kinds, be reminded that Jesus knows all about your troubles, and He will guide till the day is done. Whatever the challenge, The Christ is there because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. And lest we forget, where there is no desire there is no temptation. If Jesus was tempted it also means that there were options that he had, but chose not to pursue all because he loves You.

Points to Ponder: When you think of a suffering savior how do you feel? How does knowing Jesus empower you to get up after you have fallen down? Today encourage someone by sharing a real moment with them being fully present.