Empathy

Empathy

It is easy to wonder sometimes why God made salvation so seemingly complicated, sending his son to earth as a human, having him live so humbly and ultimately be killed.  Wouldn't be easier if God just showed himself to everyone and told everyone, "do what I say, or you are going to die and suffer in hell forever?"

We don't know all the reasons God arranged things the way he did, but we know that we have the free will God gave us, and we can make our own decisions and act how we choose, right or wrong.

In Hebrews 2, Paul is explaining how Jesus was truly man when he was on earth, in verse 18 Paul writes, "Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested."  

One of the reasons that Jesus came and lived on earth as a "regular" human, is so that he would know exactly what it is like for us humans to be tempted and tested.  When we pray for relief from our temptations and fears, release from problems, achievement of our desires, or protection of our loved ones, Jesus knows what we feel because he experienced the same thing when he was human.  He can empathize with us.

Dear Lord, how beautiful are the intricacies of your plan.  Having been like us, truly human, you know what it is like, and we can pray to you knowing you empathize with us.  Help us keep this in mind to give us strength to endure our trials and temptations, and the knowledge that as human you endured more than we will be called to endure and as a result we can have Salvation.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.