Devotional 04 June 2025

June 04, 2025 • Steve Torres

Hebrews 2:18.jpg

"Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:17-18, ESV)

When God made humanity, He made us in His image: to reflect Him in how we live, love, and relate to Him (Genesis 1:26-27). But in Eden, that reflection shattered. Tempted by the serpent’s lie, humanity sought god-likeness apart from God (Genesis 3:4-5). In our grasping, we lost what we were made for.

But God didn’t walk away!

In Christ, the eternal Son of God stepped into our frailty (Philippians 2:6-8). He didn’t just take on flesh, He became like us in every respect. Why? Because in our failure to become like God, He became like us, that we might be restored (Romans 5:18-19).

Jesus is not distant from our struggles (Psalm 34:18, 145:18, Jeremiah 23:23-24). He knows temptation, not as an outside observer, but as one who has felt its full weight. And unlike us, He did not fall. He stood firm so that He could lift us up. He became our High Priest, not demanding sacrifices from us, but offering Himself as the sacrifice. He brings us to God not through our payment, but by mercy (John 4:10-14, 7:37-38, Revelation 21:6, 22:1, 22:17).

This is the wonder of His ministry: He doesn’t just redeem humanity, He redeems humanness. He sanctifies weakness by stepping into it (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), and He transforms temptation by overcoming it (John 16:33, 1 Corinthians 10:13, ). So when you feel overwhelmed, when sin seems near and God seems far, remember: He has walked your path. He knows your pain. And He is able to help.

You are not alone. You are not unseen. You are not helpless.

Christ is near. He is merciful. He is faithful. And He stands ready—right now—to guide you, forgive you, and keep you.