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That’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed. Hebrews 2: 17,18 (The Message)

In 2010 a new reality show came on the scene. The premise of Undercover Boss was pretty straightforward: the owner or high-ranking executive of a corporation went undercover in his or her own company as an entry level employee to discover what it was really like working there. The boss changed his or her appearance, assumed an alias, and worked at various jobs for a week, enduring amusing predicaments and getting to know other employees. At the end of the week the boss returned to being boss again, and called in selected employees from the previous week. The boss’s true identity was revealed to them, and with a new understanding and sense of empathy, the boss rewarded the faithful employees for their hard work by way of promotions or pay raises.

Jesus came to earth at quite literally the most entry level a position could be: human infant. He suffered in the same ways we do, and he bled the same as we bleed. He grew from infancy, enduring childhood scrapes and bruises, the ups and downs of puberty, and the social hierarchy of adulthood. He “worked” all parts of the job of being fully human, but he didn’t reveal his identity and go back to his high ranking position after one week, one month, or even a year. He could have cut his torment short with a word, a look, or even a breath toward heaven...but he didn’t.

Jesus didn’t come to us fully grown and as some new and improved breed of man. He didn’t come to us disguised as a superhero wearing a cape and vanquishing bad guys with superhuman strength. He came to us just as we are, and when he got here he went to war against death in a human body for us. The war ended in one final battle at the cross, and anything less wouldn’t have reversed the curse, for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) 

That’s some kind of love.

Jesus took on humanity to defeat death once and for all, but that also means He fully knows every detail of your human experience. He knows the physical pain, and He knows the heartbreak. Take a minute to release your heartache to Him.

Bring to mind someone in your life with whom you’d like to share about Christ, who fully understands our human experience. Take a minute to pray that you would be an example of God’s love in their life.

Now take a moment to pray that Chatham Community Church would be a shining example of God’s sacrificial love in our community.