Jesus understands our struggles as he experienced them in his own family.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“So then, since we have a great High Priest
who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold firmly to what we believe.
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses,
for he faced all of the same testings we do,
yet he did not sin.”
Hebrews 4:14-15 New Living Translation

The holy family existed in the real world, surrounded by shepherds and critters. I can’t imagine them staying long in the stable.

Maybe they stayed there through Mary’s days of purification and before Jesus’ circumcision eight days later. However, whether they were in the stable or in the guest room, reality surrounded the family of three.

Jesus needed to be nursed. Diapers required changing. Joseph had to work to provide for his new family. This is the stuff of life and Jesus experienced it in the context of a family.

Though Jesus is the perfect Son of God, Mary and Joseph were not perfect parents. They were not chosen by God because of the sinless lives. In the context of his family, Jesus faced the real world. Mary and Joseph would come together as husband and wife and have other children.

So like all families, Jesus grew up in a dysfunction home. I say this because of the sin that affected every other member of Jesus’ family.

The Jesus that you worship and adore understands growing up in a family like yours. He understands our weaknesses because he experienced it, yet without sin. He can empathize with your struggles. He’s been there.

Was Mary depressed? Did Joseph have problems with anger? Were his siblings jealous? We don’t know. But we do know that real world surrounded him. And on the cross he gave up his life for his dysfunctional family and ours.

Why? Because he loves us and those in our households.

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Copyright Douglas P Brauner