So what is this all about anyway?

"In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek."
-Hebrews 5: 7-10

So what is this all about anyway? In short, the author is trying to tell a bunch of ignoramuses who Jesus is, (about this we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding. v.11). So who is Jesus? Well, he is somebody who understands our problems. In 4:15 it is written, "for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with us in our weaknesses." Jesus was tempted as we are, yet unlike us, did not sin. Jesus remained holy and perfect, but like all other high priests before him who made sacrifices on behalf of the sinful, he did not do so in a haughty way, but as someone who truly understood the purpose of sacrifice and the need for atonement before God. In Jesus' humanity we know that he understands our problems. That's why you shouldn't ever let anybody tell you the guy wasn't fully human. He was.

So what does this mean for you? Plenty. It means Jesus gets it. You got angry at work. Jesus understands. You made a mistake at the bar last weekend. Jesus understands. You kept you mouth shut when someone needed help. Jesus understands. Jesus doesn't necessarily approve, but he understands how hard things are for us here in this life. And that is what we want and need in a savior, someone who's been through it all before, who gets the challenges of this life and doesn't abandon us to them, but calls us to transcend them just as he did. Jesus understands what is happening to you. This is the good news.

Prayer: Holy God, I am sorry for the sins I have committed today. I am sorry for failing you, sorry for abandoning you, sorry for ignoring you. I need your help. Please give me the strength to follow you. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

[Phil Blackburn, First Presbyterian Church]