Hebrews 2:14-15 … Sharing the same Things (11/01/16)
“Since all children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.” ~ unknown (Hebrews 2:14-15)
This passage, for Christians & non-Christians alike, is extremely important for several reasons …
First and foremost, it quite clearly reminds us that Jesus Christ was indeed a man – man who chose to actualize the vast majority of the Inner Divinity within him (the same Inner Divinity that is ever available to us all — see John 14:20 et al), and yet a man nonetheless. And this is a Truth that allows us to remember that it is indeed possible for us all to live just a brilliantly (i.e. just as Lovingly) as he did – and this, in any moment we choose to do so; especially in those times when we feel as though such a choice is impossible; especially in those moments when we are feeling most acutely “only human.”
Secondly, this passage points out the fact that Jesus did indeed “share the same things” as us – the same fears, the same temptations, and indeed many of the same sins as well (e.g. anger and fear and frustration and annoyance — see Matthew 7:26-29, Matthew 15:21-18, Matthew 17:17, Matthew 18:15-17, Mark 3:5, Mark 9:19 & Luke 9:41 et al). Yes, he transcended those fears & temptations (and thus avoided those sins) far more often than most of us do, and yet had them and occasionally succumb to them he most certainly did … And indeed, how could he otherwise have any real Compassion for us all – and thereby know any real Love for us? For empathy is necessary for real Love to exist, and we can only empathize with suffering similar to that which we ourselves have experienced. And this Truth is as valid for Jesus as it is for any other being.
Thirdly and finally, this passage reminds us of the primary Purpose of Jesus’ ministry – which was not to save us or to support us or to feed us or to heal us – but rather was to free us from our fears (especially our insidious, innate, inherent subconscious fear of death); or – better stated – to Awaken us to The Way of selfless Love; a Way that we can choose to walk whenever we wish to free ourselves therefrom.
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