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January
14, 2004
OUR
ELDER BROTHER
"Both
the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are
of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers"
(Hebrews 2:11, NIV).
Driven
by pride, some who ascend the ladder to success and fortune
are often ashamed of their humble origin. To preserve their
acquired status they repudiate their roots. How different
it is with the One who voluntarily left the splendor of heaven
to become our elder brother.
This
portrait of Jesus is a striking example of His supreme commitment
to the human race. When we were aliens, separated from Christ,
without hope, and without God in the world, the Prince of
Glory came to earth in the form of man (see Ephesians 2:12).
Not only did He suffer and die for the ungodly but in so doing,
He publicly, unashamedly, and permanently identified Himself
as one with us. "So Jesus is not ashamed to call them
brothers" (Hebrews 2:11, NIV). He wanted the whole universe
to know that He is our elder brother.
As our
elder brother, He bears "our human form before the Father's
throne, and through eternal ages, [is] one with the race He
has redeemed--the Son of man."--Steps to Christ,
pp. 13, 14. What a precious privilege to be accepted as brothers
and sisters by the King of the universe! Through His vicarious
death, Christ became our Saviour and compassionate elder brother
for all eternity. By becoming our brother, Christ has drawn
us into the filial bond of the family of God. That's why,
we can joyfully sing, "I'm so glad, I'm a part of the
family of God."
Ellen
G. White in poignant language tells of our compassionate elder
brother: "The Elder Brother of our race is by the eternal
throne. He looks upon every soul who is turning his face toward
Him as the Saviour. He knows by experience what are the weaknesses
of humanity, what are our wants, and where lies the strength
of our temptations; for He was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin. He desires us to realize that
He has returned to heaven as our Elder Brother and the measureless
power given Him has been placed at our disposal."--My
Life Today, p. 297.
My
Prayer Today: Lord, I thank you for Jesus, my beloved
elder brother. May I live worthy of this high honor. Amen!
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