Hebrews 2

14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.- Hebrews 2:14-18

This week in our studying, we were asked, "When has Jesus helped you in your life when you have been tempted or tried?" This question got me thinking, "Is there ever a time for anyone that they are not going through SOME thing?" There is so much going on in our world and in our individual lives that it can seem daunting and incur anxiety if you think about it for any length of time. The curse of sin and death reaches so far and wide, it really seems sometimes there's no escape or real solution. 

I have hard things in my life, and I know you do too, but when I read Hebrews 2:14-18, it reminds me that I'm looking at the battle from the hill of victory called Calvary. You see, it's easy to get caught up in the "bad" because it's so rampant and out right. It's easy to turn our gaze at the things that are wrong right in front of us and hold it there until we're in that downward spiral of anxiety and pity and all the negative feelings and lies. That's Satan's expertise. But what Satan didn't see coming, and what I love about this passage, is Jesus took the very thing that kept us in bondage and slavery, and uses it against him to completely and utterly overcome him and all of his affects. 

When I read this truth of what Jesus has already done, suddenly my problems seem insignificant. My gaze is turned again on the One who has sealed my victory and my focus is aligned. Not that Jesus doesn't care about what we've got going on in our lives, He absolutely does and as it says in verse 18, He helps us in those things. But when I think of  how Jesus, the perfect and holy Son of God, came down and took on all the sin, all the suffering, all the pain, all the wrong, and even took on death itself, in His flesh, and overcame those things on that lonely cross on Golgotha, so that He could gain the victory on our behalf.... it just makes what I've got going on fade to the back ground, where it should be. 

My friends, nothing is worth taking our attention off of that. Nothing. Because whatever "defeat" you may think you're facing today, your true salvation and triumph is found in the place where Jesus laid everything he had down for you. Not only that, but because of his finished work, He now is the ever-present, ever-perfect high priest that comes to our aid when we are feeling weary and tired and just "over it". Bringing comfort and love and providing everything we need to run this race set before us. 

-Jessi Morter