The Pilgrim Path---Hebrews 2: 9

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

“…FOR A LITTLE WHILE”

For a little while Jesus of Nazareth was abused, by passed, considered of small stature by many, and ignored by most. For a little while he laid aside the outward vestiges of deity to walk among earth’s mortals---the sinful masses really. Yet, he never became like one of us “as” a transgressor. He merely came---to take the sins of His Own---as His Own. He knows all about betrayal---He was betrayed. He knows all about misrepresentation, lies---He was lied about as NO other. He knows hurt as NO mortal ever knew hurt. He hung upon a cross---virtually naked (that’s how the Romans did it you know). He was humiliated---for things He never did (for all the horrors we commit (and often think nothing of). For a little while---HE was made lower than the angels. If you ever think no one understands your trouble or pain---please think again. The LORD Jesus Christ knows the anguish and heartache of His sons and daughters. He lovingly feels the sorrow and sighs of all His children (Psalm 31: 7). Talk to Him about your life---HE is at the right hand of the Father for You. Remember: He could have said I know what it’s like down there---I am God! But HE “was” here as the Shepherd of Souls---and He is touched with the awareness of our personal woes---Thanks be to God! By the power of the Spirit---HE is with us---walking with us---aiding us, keeping us---Jehovah-Jesus, shepherding us always…Goodness & mercy following us till we get to Heaven’s gates…

From John Brown: The word in the original is not “every man,” “every human being:” it is “every one,”---a word that naturally leads you to ask, “Every one of whom?” And when you look into the context you find a particular class of persons mentioned,---“the heirs of salvation”---the “many sons” of God---the “sanctified” ones---the “brethren” of Christ---the “children” of Christ, “whom God had given Him.” It was for “every one” of these, that Jesus, when He became mortal, laid down His life. He died for them, i.e., He died on their account, He died in their room. He died, not on account of His own sins, but on account of theirs. “He was wounded for their transgressions, He was bruised for their iniquities;” He died for their sins. He “suffered for them, the just for the unjust;” He have Himself a ransom for them.” When we think that those for whom He died are “an innumerable company, out of every kindred, and people, and tongue,” and when we reflect on the number, and variety, and duration of the blessings which He has secured for every one of these, we cannot help perceiving, that if the dignity of His person stamped an infinite value on His sacrifice, the efficacy of that sacrifice reflects back a glorious light on the dignity of His person. When Jesus, in His mortal nature, died in the room of all His people, He did so “by the grace of God.” It is impossible to trace the appointment of this mysterious sacrifice to any principle in the divine mind but free, sovereign mercy. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

From David Clarkson: Though Christ is no longer under these infirmities as he once was, he is touched in his soul by our sufferings. He desires to help and comfort us and do what is best for us in such a condition, out of his wonderful love. He feels as we feel at the sufferings of a very dear friend. His compassion is as a parent for a beloved child.

Meanwhile on the other side of the world:

---A strong earthquake struck off the coast of Japan late Wednesday (approximately 7.3 magnitude). Just off the coast from Fukushima---triggering a tsunami threat (over 2 million without electricity).

---On Thursday Putin said of Russians who do not support his, “special military operation in Ukraine”---“Russians will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and will simply spit them out like a gnat that accidentally flew into their mouths.” By the way---On Tuesday, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Putin as a “war criminal” (may God have mercy on him).

---As of late Thursday, the World Health Organization confirmed 43 attacks on Ukrainian health care facilities…

---The Russian Embassy in London said that the “supposed” maternity hospital that was bombed in Mariupol---was not a maternity hospital at all. The images of women “evacuating?”---The Embassy said: “probably played by actresses…” (Sky News).

---Pray for Pastor Ivan in Kyiv…last I checked, he serves and aids congregations in the midst of testing and hardship---The LORD keeps His Own…

“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life…” Revelation 20: 12

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason