“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 his people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17-18)

Been There, Done That

As sports fans, we can be disappointed when the team we’re cheering for loses in heartbreaking fashion, but we can’t understand the emotions of the people who actually participated in the game. We don’t know what Craig Ehlo felt after Michael Jordan hit “The Shot” over him, or what was going on in Rodney Harrison’s head when David Tyree pinned the ball to his helmet, helping the Giants pull off one of the biggest upsets in history. Fans will never be able to truly understand what it’s like to be the player on the wrong side of a famous sports moment.

Thankfully, that is not the case for our relationship with Jesus. Not only did Jesus sacrifice himself so our sins would be forgiven, but He became human in doing so. He got the full human experience and understands what it’s like to be us. He knows the pain of losing loved ones and gets just how difficult life can be at times.

There is absolutely nothing we go through as humans that Christ wouldn’t understand because He was human too! We can turn to Him with full confidence that He will be able to appreciate the challenges we go through. What a blessing it is to know that we pray to, and place our trust in, a God who has literally walked a mile in our shoes!

– Joshua Doering

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