“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” (Heb. 2:14).
- He WHOM? Jesus. v. 9
- He WHAT? Shared (NKJV), STRONGS NT 3348: metecho – “to partner.”
- HE HOW? “…As the children have partaken of FLESH AND BLOOD…” v. 14; cf. v. 17
Watch the idea: 1) Jesus 2) shared/partnered with us 3) in flesh and blood (cf. John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh…”; Phil. 2:7-8a “But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man…” cf. Col. 2:9; Gal. 4:4; Mat. 1:23; Luke 2:7; 24:39).
Think about the implications of that wondrous concept:
Jesus partnered with us PHYSICALLY:
- He got tired. Mark 4:38; John 4:6
- He felt hunger. Mat. 4:2; 21:18-29; Mark 11:12ff
- He knew thirst. John 19:28; 4:7
- He experienced pain; He suffered. Isa. 53:4-7; John 15:20; Heb. 5:8
- He grew. Luke 2:52
Jesus partnered with us MENTALLY:
- His family thought He was crazy. Mat. 12:46
- His best friends turned their backs on Him. Mat. 26:56
- One close associate sold Him out for pocket change. Mat. 26:46
- He was the object of gossip and slander. Mat. 12:24; John 8:52
- He was shamed publicly. Mark 14:65
- He was criticized. John 5:1; Mat. 12
- His teaching was mocked and rejected. John 1:11; 6:60-61, 66
Jesus partnered with us EMOTIONALLY. He felt:
- Joy. Heb. 12:2
- Anger. Mark 3:5
- Disgust. John 2:13-17
- Sorrow. John 11:32
- Compassion. Mat. 9:20-22; John 8:1ff
- Emotional agony. Luke 22:42
- Disappointment. Luke 13:34
- Empathy. John 19:25-27
- Sadness. Mat. 23:37
- Sighing. Mark 8:12
- Rejection. Mark 15:19
Jesus partnered with us SPIRITUALLY. He was tempted: Mat. 4:1-11; Heb. 4:15
John Griffin, a white man, darkened his skin in an effort to understand what it mean to be black in a predominately white society. He chronicled his experiences in his book, “Black Like Me.” In a manner of speaking, Mr. Griffin, on some limited level, could say he partnered with members of the black community for a short time.
Patricia Moore, a twenty-six-year-old industrial designer, masqueraded as an eight-five-year-old woman once a week for three years, in order to understand the plight and problems associated with being old in America. On one occasion she was robbed, beaten, and then left for dead on the sidewalk in Harlem. Miss Moore, in one specific way, could say she partnered with the elderly in American society.
When a child of God is suffering, it’s tempting for him to think, “Nobody understands me and what I’m facing…” The good news is, Jesus speaks to him today in the revelation of Hebrews and says, “I partnered with you in flesh and blood, and I know exactly what you’re going through…”
Think about it…
“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike
INCARNATE 