Jesus: One of Us
I have a soft spot for Winnie-the-Pooh. His simple yet profound adventures have captivated me since childhood, and I’ve passed that love on to my children and grandchildren. In one story, Pooh bounces down the stairs, bump by bump, knowing no other way. He thinks, "If only I could stop bumping for a moment and think of it."
Many of us live this way—bumping through life, struggling, unsure how to change. We long for something better, yet don’t stop long enough to consider how transformation happens. But there is hope. Someone has come to bring healing, freedom, and joy to our brokenness. That someone is Jesus.
When Jesus was baptized, He wasn’t repenting of sin—He had none. He was identifying with us, stepping fully into our humanity. As He prayed, heaven opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father declared, "You are My beloved Son; in You, I am well-pleased" (Luke 3:22).
This moment wasn’t just about Jesus—it was about us. Through Him, we can know the same love and acceptance from the Father. Jesus became one of us so we could become children of God. His baptism marked the beginning of a ministry that would ultimately lead to the cross, where He took our place as our Advocate, Substitute, and Example.
Jesus is Our Advocate – He stands before the Father on our behalf, interceding for us (1 John 2:1).
Jesus is Our Substitute – He took our place, bearing our sin so we could be free (1 Peter 2:24).
Jesus is Our Example – He shows us how to live in obedience and faith (1 Peter 2:21).
Jesus’ genealogy in Luke traces back to Adam, showing that He came for all of humanity. His salvation is for everyone, not just a select few. He understands our struggles because He walked among us. And now, through His life, death, and resurrection, He offers us a new identity—not just as people stumbling through life, but as beloved children of God.
So no matter how many times you’ve stumbled, there is hope. Jesus became one of us so we could become something we were not by creation—children of God.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for stepping into our world and identifying with us. Help us to embrace our identity as Your children and follow Jesus in faith. Amen.