Another's Shoes

Scripture Passage that Caught my attention today: Hebrews 2:14-15 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

Observation: This passage illustrates the depth of the connection God has formed through Jesus with God’s people.

Application: Relating authentically with other people often involves putting ourselves in their shoes. This is not easy because there are many shoes that we have no desire to fill or share. To endeavor to walk in some shoes might bring back to mind a pain from the past that we’d rather forget. Walking in another’s shoes might call into question the reason for our own position of relative influence. Walking in another’s shoes might remind us that we might not be the only ones who have been wronged in life or received the shorter end of the stick.

Jesus, however, did indeed walk in humanity’s shoes. The Christian faith proclaims that he set aside his privileged status out of love for the people that God created. Some theologians call it the “sweet exchange” whereby God through Christ takes on humanity’s sin and humanity through Christ takes on God’s gracious favor. It’s all through Christ. And it also serves as an example to us of how we might better enable others to realize the beauty of this exchange as we demonstrate our willingness to exchange our own shoes for those of another.

Prayer: Lord, this is all easier said that done. But help us to at least consider such things more and more until we’re finally able to take such steps toward true understanding and love for one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Hosea: 2-5, Hebrews 2)