God, Up-close and Personal

 When we look around us and seek to observe the current situation of the world it is a challenge.  Some times it looks like the world is running out of control and that even God can't keep up with the unfolding mess.  It is an illusion, however, because in Jesus God has irrevocably involved Himself in the human situation.

Because we are flesh and blood human beings, Jesus took upon Himself "flesh and blood" (Heb. 2:14), and experienced the reality of being human all the way to death.  We don't have a savior who sends salvation from a distance.  We have a Savior who strategically places Himself into our story, suffers what we suffer, is tempted the way we are tempted, bleeds the way we bleed, and who dies just like we die.

The world is a mess, experiencing what a world experiences when it rejects her Creator and turns instead to her own ways and means.  Sin is a dangerous game and it produces devastation of a thousand kinds.  But the world isn't alone.  The Creator has come among us in Jesus, and ushers in His grace within the story.  Because He is one of us and suffered just like we do, "he is able to help those who are being tempted" (Heb. 2:18).  He is up-close and personal. 

Jesus is "a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God" (Heb. 2:17), and, the Bible says, He is not ashamed to refer to us as His brothers and sisters (see Heb. 2:11).  Isn't that amazing?  Jesus is honored to call you and me His family.  Who would have thought it?