¹⁴ Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. ¹⁶ For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Hebrews 2:14-18

Dear God, when I read this passage last night before I went to bed, I couldn’t help but think about the difference in perspective and knowledge the author of Hebrews had versus all of the characters we’ve read about so far in Matthew 1 and Luke 1 and 2. It’s a little like the movie Casablanca. It’s one thing to watch that movie when it came out–late1942–not knowing how World War II would end. Not knowing about D-Day, VE-Day or VJ-Day. Not knowing how Hitler would meet his end. The writers, director, actors, and crew making that movie had no idea what was going to happen. The audience going to the theater to see it for the first time had no idea what would happen. Their experience watching that movie is completely different from mine. I simply know things they couldn’t know. That no one could understand and appreciate until after Jesus’s resurrection, 40 days, and ascension. From Zechariah and Elizabeth, to Mary and Joseph, to the magi and Herod, they all thought he was going to be a king to free them. Maybe Simeon was the only one who knew something different was up (see Luke 2:34-35).

So going back to this passage, by the time this was written they were getting this thing figured out. Jesus didn’t come to wage a battle against flesh and blood, but against the powers and principalities of this world (Ephesians 6:12). He came to make sure the Gentiles got grafted into the Kingdom too (Acts 10-11). It was all about putting a descendant of David (your son) on the ultimate throne forever, not some earthly, temporary throne.

Father, I just want to, once again, say thank you. Thank you for all of this. Thank you for being so much bigger than I can imagine. Thank you for loving so much more richly than you have to. Thank you for being so good in your nature that the closer I get to you the “good-er” I feel myself becoming. And when I say “good-er,” I mean less selfish, more faithful, and more loving to those around me. If that’s what I get when I get close to you, then you must be good as well. So thank you for all of this. I love you.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen