HANGING OUT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
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Scripture Reading: John 1:1-14; Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-16
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
John 1:14
In situations of grief or stress, have you ever heard someone say, “I understand?” It’s a risky statement. It should be used with great caution. Can we really understand what someone else is experiencing? Can someone else really feel what I’m feeling? Most of the time we get it wrong. But sometimes there is real comfort when someone who’s “been there” understands a lot of what we are going through.
The gospel means “good news,” and a major dimension of this is that Jesus understands us. He “gets it.” Jesus invites us to join him in his sending mission of love. He says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).
There’s a big word that describes exactly how Jesus was sent into the world. It’s called incarnation. Jesus became one of us. He lived among us. He hung out in our neighborhood. He experienced life fully and completely as we do. He was even tempted, “as we are—yet he did not sin.” He “gets it” because he was one of us.
Isn’t that incredible good news? A few years ago there was a popular song that said, “What if God were one of us … ?” But he already is. God chose to reach us through his Son, Jesus, becoming a human being in every respect.
Why do you think God has put you in your neighborhood? Think about that today.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for walking with me through my life’s situations. Show me how to connect with others in my neighborhood and to share your good news with them. Amen.
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GET TODAY
1 Corinthians 10:13 speaks about this truth that we are not alone in our troubles. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Any temptation to give up or to give in to despair and hopelessness is a temptation that some Christian somewhere has already faced. More importantly, our Savior was tempted in every manner but did not sin. He transfered that righteous obedience to our account upon the cross. (2 Cor. 5:21)
It is His faithful obedience that gives us the strength to carry on in the days of trouble. He will never turn on you. He will never abandon you. He will provide the courage that you need to loving obey God. (Dt. 3:6, John 14:15)
Blessings in Him