This week we gathered around some store bought blueberry muffins and extra large green grapes and some strawberries—and tea! Always tea.
The week of homework we were discussing was all about the incarnation—Jesus as fully human. And fully God. Not exactly easy to grasp.
Colossians 1:15, 19 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all Creation……For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness (deity) to dwell in Him,”
Hebrew 2:17-18 “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”
Lisa Whittle, the author, is presenting us with the beautiful reality that God took on flesh. He came through a birth. He was a vulnerable baby and grew and matured as a man. He was tempted, yet never sinned. Never. He can relate to us. He came on purpose with intent and a willingness to be our Savior—and all that it entailed.
Lisa says, “…we may think, ‘He came to save our souls, but we are on our own with our migraines.’”
Isn’t that the truth? Sometimes we don’t even pray about the “little” physical ailments or body image struggles we face because we think we should not struggle with these things—they’re silly or we are dramatic or God just has bigger things to deal with than our struggles. But that is just not true. He promises to never leave us or forsake us. He has been with His people from Creation to the tabernacle, the Temple and then the incarnation and He gave us the Holy Spirit when he ascended back to the Father and He promises to be with us in eternity. He is WITH us always and forever. He cares about our body.
We spent time reading some specific times in the New Testament that Jesus met people where they were in their physical need. He “took her by the hand” in Matthew 9 when He raised a girl from the dead. He laid His hands on them in Luke 40, He ate and drank in Luke 22, He washed feet in John 13, He cooked and ate in John 21, He looked at the woman who had touched His garment and got healing from a 12 year issue with blood in Mark 5. Jesus lived and loved in His body—using His hands and feet, His mouth and eyes and He had feelings! Jesus set the example and showed that the purpose of our body is NOT to be the strongest or prettiest or youngest or smallest or smartest, but to love and serve others in our body. This doesn’t mean we won’t do things to keep our bodies healthy and feeling good. This doesn’t mean getting facials or coloring your hair is a sin. But it definitely means these aren’t the goal of living in our bodies.
Thinking about the humanity of God in Jesus for the week was deeply moving. Jesus poured out His life as He lived in His body on this earth. He gave us a beautiful example to follow in how He served people with humility and graciousness and deep love. How much time do I spend thinking about my body in light of how it looks or the shape or how to keep wrinkles away or what others think of my body versus thinking about how my body can be used to love others? It’s worth thinking about and praying about.
I gave out some cute pairs of socks—asked the girls to think about Jesus putting on socks. I mean, such a very human thing to do. And a reminder to be the feet of Jesus as you walk around in your body!
So we have studied the Image of God, the Incarnation, and this week it is Jesus’ Crucifixion. More to come…
