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"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil."
(Hebrews 2:14)
Greg and Heidi Bennett are faithful members of our church here in Austin, TX. They love the Lord, each other, and the three sweet daughters the Lord has blessed them with. Heidi, a former winner on the game show, Wheel of Fortune, shared how God had saved her out of a life of rebellion and given her a new life in Christ. They spoke of how vital it is to be in community with one another. Greg emphasized that we cannot fully obey the "one anothers" in Scripture if there are no others! We cannot do this on our own. The devil likes us alone, even if we have some affiliation with a church. When hardship comes, many times people leave the church feeling as though no one cares for them. But that doesn't happen when you are in community and accountable to each other, as Scripture teaches us the Church should be. We have hundreds of people in our church who truly care and offer support in countless ways. I am grateful for them and many of you reading this devotion who are like them.
Three times the word "aid" is mentioned in Hebrews 2:14-18, our focal Scriptures for the week. God is able very willing to assist, help, and work, no matter what circumstance you find yourself in, what temptation you are battling, or what difficulty you might be experiencing.
Jesus is awesome. In Hebrews 2:14, 17, we see the sublime doctrine of Incarnation, where Jesus came from heaven to earth and took on flesh to be just like us. He shares our same nature, human nature. Our Christian faith rises, or it falls, on the Incarnation, where God became a man. To save us, He became one of us. But He never sinned–amazing! The eternal Son of God became one of us. He was born in a manger in Bethlehem. He lived and worked as a carpenter in the family business. When He was 30 years old, the Father said it was time, and Jesus began His public ministry.
Dr. Al Mohler, president of the Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY writes, "Though he was the Creator of all, he became hungry. He grew tired. He ate, drank, slept, ached, and 'shared in these' things that all humanity knows and experiences. This is the first and one of the most fundamental truths of the gospel story. God became a man. He became like us." (Source: Mohler, R. A., Jr. (2017). Exalting Jesus in Hebrews (pp. 34–39). Holman Reference.)
Jesus has destroyed the one who had the power of death: the devil. Jesus dealt him a lethal blow, and will one day do away with him forever; praise God! I look forward to that day! Satan had the power of death, but Jesus took it from him.
As you reflect on the power of Jesus today, I encourage you to not just believe that God can work in your life, but that He will work in your life. God can do anything. He can change your circumstances in a moment. Be on the lookout, because God is able!
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