Jesus did not tantalize……

“It's obvious, of course, that He didn't go to all this trouble for angels.  It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That's why He had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.”  Hebrews 2:16-18 Message Bible

As we read our Bibles we see the mighty works of Jesus when He was on the earth.  We read about His teachings, preaching, healings, temptations and the way He lived, sinless. 

There are times in our Christian walk that we feel we cannot achieve the same success as Jesus did even though His Words says we can.   Many times we hear others try to justify their laziness, disobedience or sins by saying, “Jesus does not expect us to walk the same because He is the Son of God.  He was born supernaturally and we are humans born in sin and we cannot live as Jesus lived, holy.”

It is true Jesus is the Son of God.  But if we put too much distance between Himself and us because of His unique Son ship, we have missed the message of the NT.   Jesus lived His earthly life in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:16, Jn 3:34).    He triumphed over the sins, illness, and woes of man by dependence upon the Holy Spirit, not by reverting to His deity.   

He stripped from Himself every other dependency except faith.   He did this to live as we have to live, that He might demonstrate that victory is possible in the very center of our human conditions.

Jesus is not a tantalizer; He is a Savior.  He did not say we could live as He lived and then leave us helpless.  He gave us the same power He had, all we have to do is take it and believe.  The works He did, He said, we can do (Jn 14:12).

 The peace He enjoyed, we may enjoy (Jn 14:27).   The joy that characterized Him and made Him radiant can make us radiant also (Jn 15:11).  He is the “Author” of our faith.  His life demonstrated to us what victory is.   He is also the “Finisher/Perfecter” of our faith.    As such, He shows us how to attain that victory.  

What Jesus was, He is able to re-create in you and me; what Jesus did, He is able to re-demonstrate that in you and me.

Let me never again deny who Jesus is!   However, I will deny it if I keep insisting He is a heavenly person instead of a person from heaven who invaded humanity by talking flesh upon Him.  Once Jesus became flesh, He forever eliminated my excuse for failure and disobedience.   

I must now accept Him for what He truly is----a Savior who begins at my level! 

“We thank God for the power Christ has given us. He leads us and makes us win in everything.  He speaks through us wherever we go. The Good News is like a sweet smell to those who hear it.”    II Cor. 2:14 NLV