SWHW Bible Reading Plan: July 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Jess Hatton:

“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18

The progressive building of the person of Jesus in the book of Hebrews is beautiful. Although in its entirety, it contains more theology than could ever set in, when it’s broken down into sections, it tends to be much easier to absorb. 

If you were to divide it into sections, you’d see that Hebrews 2 falls into the category of “Jesus being the perfect Man.” It explains how Jesus is the final and perfect culmination of humanity, and it links Him to His followers. 

If we fail to remember the humanity of Jesus and only see His divine nature, then we miss the fact He experienced temptations, everyday life, hunger, thirst, need for friendship, etc. His perfect, sinless humanity is what gives us an example of how to fight temptation without sinning, and it allows us to be comforted in the fact Jesus shares in our suffering. 

Think about this. From birth people thought Jesus to be illegitimate; the king tried to have His birth exterminated and His parents had to flee to Egypt, waiting years before they could return. He was born alongside animals, His mother and father were most likely outcasts, and people in His hometown of Nazareth even tried to push him off a cliff (Luke 28:30).

He had no permanent home, His own brother didn’t recognize Him as the Messiah until after the resurrection (John 7:5), and there were multiple plans to try and kill Him.  All the while, He knew the purpose of His earthly life and what was coming, and then He was killed in the way of a criminal. And these are only a portion of His sufferings! 

When we think about Jesus’ life and the sufferings He endured, it puts our own hardships in a different light, and it allows us to find comfort in knowing Christ truly does share our pain on a personal level. It pushes us to look to Him for compassion as well as guidance. 

Jesus, we thank You for being willing to come and submit Yourself to human form and sacrifice Yourself for our benefit. Thank You for the strength of Your love. I pray You would be our example of suffering and we would look to You to help us through our trials. Thank You for Your presence and Your help when we are hurting. Amen.