The Risen Christ Leads The Way

With evil so apparent today, few people would argue that society is getting better spontaneously. In fact, we cannot even imagine that there was an era when Westerners had this expectation. Yet here, as elsewhere in Scripture, we read about the high value God places on the men and women he created and linked together in his image. It was for this reason that Jesus our salvation pioneer entered into our humanity, to lead us back to where we should be.

In verse 10, word “pioneer” (10) evokes many images and possibilities for us who follow. Jesus is the adventure guide carving a path through the jungle. He is Moses leading the way out of Egypt and across the sea to the Promised Land. He is the older brother (so unlike the one in Jesus’ parable) opening the way for his brothers’ and sisters’ participation in an exciting future. He is the high priest, holy though tempted, able to unlock the way to God for us. He is perfect (10) in the sense of an adequate sacrifice for sin and also of having completed his task. He both models and makes possible reaching our full potential.

Death (14,15) is the devil’s final trump card. No wonder people fear it. But it too has been transformed by the One who negotiated it successfully and leads us through it. This week I conducted a funeral for a man full of years who died in Christ and I used the words of verses 9 and 14. His family and friends mourn his loss, of course, but we could also celebrate his resurrection, made possible by the risen Christ who leads the way and is in the place of power. It means a lot to us that Jesus is human yet triumphant over everything that would prevent us attaining our full humanity as God intended it.

Write a list of your “trials and temptations.” Now put ask the Lord for his help (18) with the sufferings you listed.