Physical therapy is a weekly rhythm in our household for the youngest of our clan. He is a full-time wheelchair user, but full of spunk and spin!
One week his physical therapist told us about an activity the occupational therapists at her school had to participate in as part of their training. For a full day, these students had to navigate their hilly, highly inaccessible campus to experience life in a wheelchair: mapping the routes they’d take around campus (then re-routing due to curbs), reaching out-of-reach items, and troubleshooting the dreaded and difficult bathroom situations. Narrow doorways. Gravel. Stairs. Looking up at people rather than eye-to-eye.
They had to become like the clients they would serve so they could catch a glimpse of the daily challenges they faced and know better how to help them.
Though it was a valuable simulation, these students could never fully know the lived experience of their clients. The next day they returned the wheelchair, walked again, and went on with life.
In this week’s doctrine, we see Jesus did something of infinitely greater value. He didn’t simply step out of heaven for a day to experience life as we do, but rather, the Creator of all things humbly took on a human body, soul, and mind, and willingly entered into the limitations of human life. He became fully like those He created, yet He didn’t cease to be God when He did. (Here’s the link to last week’s intro, The Deity of Christ.)
As a reminder, I’m looking at a doctrine seen in each chapter(ish) of the book of Hebrews, written to encourage and exhort discouraged Christians (likely Jewish Christians) in the face of hardship and persecution. What I write is a small sampling of things I’m learning along the way.
Chapter 2: The Humanity of Christ
Hebrews 2:17-18 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
Often, when I read this passage, I pause to think about that phrase “he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way…”
Consider the limitations and needs that you and I face: hunger, thirst, rest, and shelter. Oxygen. We are restrained by time and space. Jesus was, too. In his book, Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem helped me understand even more how very human Jesus was. He had a human body, human mind, human soul and emotions, even to the point that many people who watched Him grow up could not see past His humanity to see His divinity. (p. 532-535)
The verses don’t specifically speak to this, but as I’ve been meditating on this passage, I also considered the delight Jesus may have had in experiencing His creative works in the flesh! Think about this: Jesus, the creator and sustainer of the universe, the one who set the planets in motion, experienced the glory of a sunrise through human eyes. He smelled the fragrant aroma of flowers and drew breath into His human lungs. The one who created these good gifts experienced them with His human body!
Why did Christ’s humanity matter to these Christians?
When you are suffering, do you seek out people who have walked a similar path? When we found out our youngest daughter had a genetic condition that would likely give us a very short time with her, I sought out every friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend who had faced this diagnosis. I was deeply comforted knowing women who delighted in cradling and protecting a precious baby in their wombs, yet they also understood the awful, empty ache and uncertainty when faced with a life-limiting diagnosis.
In their suffering, these Christians needed this kind of comfort, too. Hebrews 2 helps us see that Jesus is more than just a sympathetic observer, watching from the sidelines. Because He truly entered the human experience, their suffering was not beyond His understanding, and their needs were not beyond His help. He became their merciful and faithful High Priest who made atonement for sin by His own sacrifice, and He was ready to help when they were tempted because He, too, suffered when He was tempted…yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).
Incredible, right?! They needed to be reminded of their sympathetic High Priest whose atoning work made it possible for them to repeatedly return to Him for help.
Why does Christ’s humanity matter for us today?
- Because Christ took on flesh, He made atonement for our sin! Last week, I briefly mentioned the ongoing work of the priests under the sacrificial system and how their work pointed forward to the final and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. He is the final, once-for-all sacrifice for sin, and all who believe in Him receive His promised, eternal benefits.
- Because Christ took on flesh, we have One who understands our humanity and helps us in our weakness. We can bring praises to Him as we delight in the beautiful things of this world. And because He knows what it is to live a human life wounded by suffering, in our weakness, weariness, and temptations, we can go to Him for help. He welcomes us to His throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). Even as I was finishing this post, I was hit with a circumstance that required me to really believe what I was typing. *SIGH* Back to the throne for help, I go!*
The occupational therapists I referenced earlier entered into a helpful simulation, but it couldn’t compare to the incarnation. Jesus entered this world, fully God and fully man, to become our merciful and faithful high priest, to atone for sin, and stand ready to help.
What a savior!!! (Worthy of three exclamation points!!!)
***If you feel like reading another 1,000 words, I am tagging one of the most meaningful-to-me posts I’ve written regarding a pivotal season in my life where the hypostatic union of Christ ministered so deeply to my soul. You can read it here if you’re in the mood and have the time 🙂
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