PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Weekly Bible Study - Study 8 - The Book of Hebrews Ch 2:14-18

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power over death- that is the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrew Chapter 2: verses 14 to 18 New International Version)

Jesus – one with us, a true champion!

Whatever we think about Jesus there are 2 contrasting views expressed in the bible. One has to do with his origins that come from God. The most common expression in the bible is that Jesus is the son of God, has always existed and he comes into the world with all the authority, power and love that God has and is. The other part of Jesus we appreciate is that he became a human being and shared all that being human involves. Jesus enters into the experience of life we all know, appreciate, love and struggle with.

Life for us, while it has its moments of joy, success and hopefully good health, is marred by a couple of harsh realities.  First there is evil in the world and we are part this and responsible for it and second death comes to us all and is something we cannot avoid. Both of these realities were introduced to us in the beginning in Genesis Chapter 3 by the devil or serpent as he tempted Adam and Eve successfully to rebel against God when they ate from the tree they were told to leave alone. From that moment on, humanity has been in bondage to these 2 harsh realities.

Jesus came into our world to reverse this situation, to confront and overcome evil, take upon himself our penalty and to suffer death for us. Easter is the celebration of this victory of Jesus dying and rising from the dead and releasing us from the hold the devil had over us. Jesus overcame temptation by being willing to suffer for us. What makes Jesus so special is not just his contrasting natures, coming from God and being human mentioned above, but the victory he won for us over the devil by his death. The penalty has been paid, the righteous judge is satisfied, justice has been achieved.

In other places Jesus is called a mediator or representative. Both are relational words and refer to how Jesus is able to draw God and humanity together in a way not possible before. Up until Jesus came, there was always a barrier as the result of God’s holiness and our sin. But now Jesus has removed the barrier.

Whatever we say about Jesus he is a champion, because he alone is able to bring God and humanity together. Jesus has overcome our enemy and the charges he brings against us. No one else is able to do this. As we look forward to the Masters next week and who will be the champion, I will never forget how Bernhard Langer on winning his second masters green jacket referred to Jesus as his Lord and Master who won a far greater victory than he ever could. I encourage you to go to church this Easter and celebrate the greatest victory the world has seen.

Prayer, Thank you Lord God for Jesus who shares our humanity and our struggle for life. Amen.

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