“Seeing the Unseen Christ” (Week 7)
by Eric Rajaniemi
Let’s review the first two questions from last time.
Possible negative consequences to being publicly praised
for doing good deeds are to become proud, even overly
proud, of what you have done. You could also accept the
accolades rather than giving glory to God for what He
achieved through you. Too much pride causes us to lose
sight of the fact that Jesus is the One working in us, not
us doing these acts all on our own efforts. Advantages to
doing Christlike acts of love anonymously are that no one
knows that we did them. There is no need to feel self-
conscious while doing them nor afterwards when praise is
heaped upon us for doing them. In a very real sense, we
are given freedom to do them frequently. Also, when we
do them privately we will end up doing them for the right
reasons: to help other people.
This week I want us to consider Hebrews 2:10 – 3:1.
Upon reading this passage it becomes obvious that Jesus
is the “He” since that is pointed out in verse nine. He is
the Creator of everything. He is the captain of salvation.
Both Christ who sanctifies, and those whom He sanctifies,
are brothers in His eyes. We are those children whom the
Father has given Christ the Son, and are of flesh and
blood. So Jesus also took on flesh and blood so that
through sufferings and death He might destroy Satan who
had the power of death over us. That fear of our own
death put us in bondage to Satan. Christ chose to take
upon Himself the image of man rather than that of
angels.This was necessary that He might be a merciful
and faithful High Priest, able to make reconciliation for the
sins of the people. Since Jesus suffered being tempted
now He is able to give help to those that are tempted.
1) Do you ordinarily think of suffering as a part of
becoming godly? What do you normally associate
suffering to be a part of?
2) Since God the Father made the author of our
salvation (Jesus) perfect through suffering, how
realistic is it to expect holiness in the area of
your life which you struggle with without “being
made perfect through suffering”?
3) How does Jesus’ experience with suffering qualify
Him to be called both merciful and faithful? (verse
17)
Take some time each day this week to pray. Ask God to
forgive your failures, thank Him for your successes. Ask
Him to increase your faith in Him. Seek to discover how
you may be a stumbling-block to those around you. Ask
God to help you learn from your mistakes so that you
won’t keep repeating them in the future.
God bless you, grace and peace be yours!
Eric
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