Blog Post
Posted by Dion Todd August 18th, 2024 1,428 Views 25 Comments
Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let's hold tightly to our confession. For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:14 WEB.
When kings of old passed through their towns, it was often with a splendid display and ceremony. They may ride in a golden chariot or a carriage pulled by twelve white horses. They would be accompanied by divisions of highly disciplined and ornately dressed soldiers marching in formation. This was to display their power to the serfs. They lived a life detached from the underlings in their kingdom.
The great kings had absolutely nothing in common with the farmers, shepherds, and servants that lined the streets to watch them pass. They were separated by a vast social gap and believed in "Royal Blood." They thought they could never be like you and that you could never be like them. It was as if they were a different species and never had to "relieve themselves" after a meal.
Then Jesus Christ came to Earth as the Anointed One, the Messiah, the King of all kings. Unlike the earthly kings in their golden chariots, Jesus was born in a stable and slept in a feeding trough. His dad was a poor carpenter, and His mom a social outcast, for she was pregnant before their wedding. Even Joseph looked at Mary differently for a while, for he thought of breaking off their engagement and " putting her away privately." Joseph knew that the child was not his, but here was baby Jesus lying in the feeding trough, and his to help raise.
Of course, we know the rest of the story that Mary was a virgin and conceived when the Holy Spirit overshadowed her. We also know that an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and explained what had happened. But pretend all that hadn't yet been written. That you hadn't read it yet, for the New Testament was written after the crucifixion of Jesus. What did the townspeople and neighbors think of them?
The greatest of all kings, Jesus, humbly came into the world and was content to live with a low social status. People whispered to each other when his family passed by. He was the common man. Jesus was real and lived here on Earth just as we are. Jesus ate, drank, sang, worked, bled, slept, and wept. He had to go to the bathroom just like us. Jesus touched the lepers and the outcasts, and He restored them.
Jesus lived a life as one of us. He went through the same temptations we face but didn't yield or follow through with evil desires. Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life, but it was a real life just as we live. Jesus is not detached from humanity but has already walked that path before us as one of us, so He can understand what you are facing today.
Though Jesus was of the actual "Royal Blood," He chose to be a common man. He washed the feet of His disciples as if He was a servant. Jesus touched the lepers, ate with the sinners, and slept comfortably at the bottom of a fishing boat during a storm. He became like us by choice. Now we can become like Him by choice. We can be washed clean by His Royal Blood because He chose to share it with the world.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to redeem us and make a way for us to return to You. Please fill my life with Your presence, and lead me into deeper water. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Happy Sunday! For those who would like to join us, today we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of interactive worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! The service starts at 10am EDT. Here is the link to join: RHM Live. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to redeem us and make a way for us to return to You. Please fill my life with Your presence, and lead me into deeper water. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! Wonderful devotion again today! Thank you so much for all the time you take to write these for all of us in this group. God is using you in a special way to lead so many to Jesus!!!