Help, I’ve fallen!

Babysitting grandchildren can be enlightening, especially when they are in the 2 to 3 year old range. When there is make-believe trouble, a two year old has someone to call on who is more than able to deliver him - a super hero! Too often, I fear Christians forget we have the Super Hero to call on when we are overwhelmed by circumstances, pain, disappointment, failure. That person is Jesus.

Hebrews 2:10-13 gives details concerning our Super Hero. The writer cites three passages from the Old Testament to emphasize the depth of our Super Hero’s concern for us. The first passage cited is Psalm 22 and the following two passages are from Isaiah 8. Each passage is Messianic with a present and future meaning. The present meaning addressed a situation at the time of writing, the future meaning deals with the coming Messiah who has already come, Jesus Christ, our Super Hero.

In verse 10, the writer of Hebrews declares that the purpose for which God sent His Son into humanity was in bringing many sons to glory. God the Father sent God the Son to take on the form of a man, living among mankind, die on a cross for the sins of others, in order to bring many sons (and daughters) to glory. Of itself, that is an amazing feat of the Super Hero. We had fallen and we could not get up until we were raised with Christ in newness of life.

Since we were raised up, we still need the Super Hero because life can be tough. I need not name your issues since we have plenty that are common to us, like COVID-19. The most exciting aspect of this passage centers on our ability to call on Jesus Who hears us because He deeply cares for us and can relate to our needs. R. Kent Hughes, It was impossible for God to fully identify and thus fully sympathize with mankind apart from Christ’s incarnation and human experience. But now Christ’s perfection makes possible an unlimited capacity to sympathize with those exposed to troubles and temptations in this life. Raymond Brown, Christ came not only to share our humanity, but to transform it.

That sounds like it might too good to be true but the writer of Hebrews proclaims our Super Hero’s solidarity with us. In Psalm 22, we are called brothers and sisters of the Son who created the universe, I will tell of your name to my brothers; In Isaiah 8, we are called children of the Son, I and the children whom the LORD has given me. Thomas Constable, . . . believers are Jesus Christ's spiritual children. As such He will provide for us and prepare us for the future as a loving parent who has had greater experience traveling the same path (cf. John 14:1–3).

When we placed faith in Jesus Christ alone, we were united for all eternity to the One Who not only loves us deeply but is willing and able to help us today and every day to come. William Barclay, Because he sympathizes, Jesus can really help. He has met our sorrows; he has faced our temptations. As a result, he knows exactly what help we need; and he can give it.

The issue is not, is Jesus willing and able to help in our times of need? But, are we willing to submit to His sovereign care and to call on Him? My favorite verse in difficult times is Psalm 34:4, I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. We have a Super Hero but He is not a genie in a bottle. He is our Savior and Lord. I choose to cast my cares upon Him because He truly cares for me. He proved it at the cross and it needs not be proven again because He is always faithful.

Learn more about your Super Hero’s commitment to you in Hebrews 2:10-13 which may be found under the Books of the Bible tab. It is foolish to try to get up on our own when we have Jesus, or should I say, Jesus has us.