The promise of Eden finds its fulfillment in incarnation.

It's pretty hard to get our minds around what it really meant for Jesus to enter into suffering on our behalf. When we think of it, the only thing our minds typically jump to is the beating and crucifixion of Calvary. While that certainly was the apex of the physical side, we must also realize that in some ways Jesus began His suffering the moment he began His incarnate journey.

Not only did He face the death of the cross, but the Creator of all things was intentionally debased as an infant human. He had flesh and blood. Weakness and temptation. Fatigue and hunger. Anger and sadness. The all-sufficient One would become familiar with lack, be bruised by loss, and learn obedience through His suffering.

Hebrews is a stark reminder that Jesus didn't defeat evil from a holy distance. He entered fully into our human condition, facing death itself and broke the power of it from its foundation. He didn't crush the serpent's head by force, but by faithful obedience and perfect sacrificial love.

To quote the Mandalorian ... "this is The Way". The Way of God. He brought victory through humility and His strength was revealed in suffering. He encountered everything we could possibly encounter in order not only to pay the debt of sin, but became like us so we could be freed from fear ... namely the fear of death.

His redemption isn't some abstract concept. It is embodied, incarnate. It's real and personal.

Following this way in our lives means trusting that His power often looks totally different than we expect. We needn't seize the power of this world or its systems to find what He has for us. Quite the opposite. He invites us to walk in humility and complete sacrifice not dominance and control.

There is great confidence in knowing our High Priest understands our every struggle. He isn't standing over us in uninformed judgement, He walks beside us in relatable mercy. Living "The Way" means resisting the lie that vulnerability is the same as defeat. In Jesus, it's actually the pathway to freedom and victory!

Our entire culture, sacred and secular alike, seem centered around the idea of gaining more and more earthly power and strength while Jesus calls us to full submission where He makes perfect strength from our weakness. Again, having lived a life as a human, He whispers for us to Trust Him. 

Where have you equated strength with control rather than trusting in Him?

How does Jesus’ willingness to enter suffering shape how you face your own struggles?