Being Human
Verse of the Day
“For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.”
Today’s Devotional
It’s Christmas Eve. Mostly likely you are waking up this morning surrounded by your family, or you will be joining them soon. There is an excitement in the air, especially if you have children in your midst. There is a joy and levity to even the most mundane activities like laundry and cooking. There is likely going to be music and laughter. Times like these can be magical parts of the human experience.
Or maybe this year is completely different given our current circumstances.
No matter what your holiday plans are this year, can we agree that there are parts of the human experience that are not magical? There can be an unpleasantness to the human experience, with wide ranging circumstances, feelings, and events that fall into the unpleasant category. Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus experienced all of that unpleasantness too? He had a human body, which isn’t always pleasant to live in. He had emotions. He had family, with all of the dynamics that includes. He had a social sphere, and I would bet that he didn’t exactly fit the mold. He had a job. He was “fully human in every way”.
Why did He need to become human? Scripture says that he became human because it was humans that needed saving. Jesus can officially say that He gets it. And there is something so wonderful about being with someone who understands what you are going through. That’s who Jesus is for every believer. He understands. He’s been there. He has struggled. He has been tempted. He has felt all of the uncomfortable feelings. And He triumphed. So that He can show us how.
Notice the verse says that Jesus was a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God. I believe that if I can live my life in service to God, then everything would be better. If I could get out of my own selfishness, and fully submit my will to God, then my life would slowly begin to look more and more like Jesus.
Today, on Christmas Eve, enjoy the beautiful parts of being human. But also think about the messy parts of being human. Thank Jesus for His willingness to live in human skin in order to save you. Make a list of what you are grateful for. Tell Jesus how grateful you are for His sacrifice. Write down some new ways that you could live in service to God with your life. Then spend the day being present with your people. Choose today to live with infectious joy for the life we have been given in Jesus.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
What are the messy parts of your life that you need to bring to Jesus?
How, by your actions, can you thank God for the sacrifice of Jesus?
What part of your humanness do you need to bring to Jesus to heal?