By Dr. Mark E. Shaw with TAC Team
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)[1]
The “hypostatic union” is a fancy name for the combined attributes of Christ—that He is fully God and fully man.
Jesus was fully man and fully God. While this is impossible for us to understand completely, its complexity doesn’t make it untrue.
In Christ Jesus, you have a friend who knows what it’s like to be human. Though Jesus never used illicit drugs, he knows what it’s like to be tempted as He was externally tempted by Satan in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13.
Hebrews 2:17-18 says it best:
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.
God-Given HOPE!
This truth about Jesus gives us hope!
Jesus modeled how to overcome temptation.
But Jesus also intercedes for us as a faithful high priest.
God-Given RESOURCES!
In Christ we have more than just a good example. Yes, a good perfect example He is in those passages I mentioned. The way Jesus answers according to scriptures is so helpful to us as we battle daily temptation to fulfill our own desires.
So the Scriptures show us the perfect God-Man, Jesus, demonstrating to us how to battle temptation on earth.
Believers in Christ have the One Mediator between God and man, (1 Tim 2:5) who sat down at the right Hand of the Father.
The Holy Spirit whom Jesus asked the Father to send to be with all those who would believe in Him, is the one who intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
This is what we read in Romans 8:26, which says this:
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Hebrews 1:3 speaks of Jesus when it says:
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…
Heb 10:12 goes on to teach us:
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…
All Believers in Christ have a FUTURE that is SURE!
The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. -Rev 3:21
About the Author
You may obtain a copy of Shirley Crowder and Dr. Mark Shaw’s book Easter Meditations for Addicts on Amazon or Amazon Kindle!
The Addiction Connection is Here for You!
The Addiction Connection is a network of ministries who offer hope in Jesus for those struggling with addiction of any kind. Our network of encouraging resources, ministries, and biblical programs that stretch across America and the world will always point people to truth in Jesus Christ for answers.
Quick Links
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[1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.