Today’s WORD (Text) Hebrews 2:14-18
14/ Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, 15/ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16/ For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17/ Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18/ Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Today’s Witness
Apostle Paul communicates a doctrine of Jesus Christ that affirms the incarnation—that is, God manifesting God’s self in the person of Jesus—and the intentionality of his suffering, even to the point of death. Christianity is a faith baptized in water and blood. Jesus fully owned the human experience, including maltreatment, humiliation, and capital punishment because human life consists of all these indignities and injustices. Jesus did not exempt himself from the human situation but lived into it for the purpose of liberating humankind from the captivity, oppression and injustices that obstruct God’s dream for humanity, “Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.” Jesus envisioned human kind fully reconciled to God and to one another, living in harmony, and modeling Beloved Community. However, that vision has been stifled by evil and by death. Thanks be to God for sending Jesus to live all the way in to this human experience, to overcome the evil, and to subdue death itself.
Today’s Invitation
Given the incredible lengths that Jesus endured in order to experience human suffering and to sacrifice himself, do you feel that your concept of Christian suffering is sufficiently developed? What is the role of suffering in the lives of disciples? Can suffering have a redemptive purpose?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for experience humanity at its best and at its worst. Your incredible love is redemptive. Your patience and kindness with the human family teaches us all the meaning of longsuffering. Help us to emulate your example, by obeying your teachings, following the leadership of the Spirit, and trusting the Father’s purposes for our lives. Teach us to love one another. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) Hebrews 2:14-18
14/ Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, 15/ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16/ For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17/ Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18/ Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Today’s Witness
Apostle Paul communicates a doctrine of Jesus Christ that affirms the incarnation—that is, God manifesting God’s self in the person of Jesus—and the intentionality of his suffering, even to the point of death. Christianity is a faith baptized in water and blood. Jesus fully owned the human experience, including maltreatment, humiliation, and capital punishment because human life consists of all these indignities and injustices. Jesus did not exempt himself from the human situation but lived into it for the purpose of liberating humankind from the captivity, oppression and injustices that obstruct God’s dream for humanity, “Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.” Jesus envisioned human kind fully reconciled to God and to one another, living in harmony, and modeling Beloved Community. However, that vision has been stifled by evil and by death. Thanks be to God for sending Jesus to live all the way in to this human experience, to overcome the evil, and to subdue death itself.
Today’s Invitation
Given the incredible lengths that Jesus endured in order to experience human suffering and to sacrifice himself, do you feel that your concept of Christian suffering is sufficiently developed? What is the role of suffering in the lives of disciples? Can suffering have a redemptive purpose?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for experience humanity at its best and at its worst. Your incredible love is redemptive. Your patience and kindness with the human family teaches us all the meaning of longsuffering. Help us to emulate your example, by obeying your teachings, following the leadership of the Spirit, and trusting the Father’s purposes for our lives. Teach us to love one another. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash