Jesus, My Older Brother

Devotional Reflection, Monday, January 15, 2024

The week of the second Sunday after Epiphany

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today's reading:

15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

You will find the full text of today’s epistle reading at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings: (BCP, 945)

AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15

Gen. 8:6-22; Heb. 4:14-5:6; John 2:23-3:15

David’s Reflections

In the fall of 2004 an invitation came in the mail to attend the wedding of former parishioners.  I had served as their interim vicar for six months and had experienced them as loving and committed people.  Their inviting me felt like such a privilege, a gift of their friendship.

In today’s epistle, the writer extends God’s invitation to us to bring our weak and broken selves into the very presence of God.  Something about that feels counterintuitive.  As a child, when I had gone beyond a parentally-set boundary, the desire to avoid confrontation was very strong.  More comfortable to be invisible.  Yet, the writer here invites us to come “with boldness.”  That word connotes openness and confidence in the presence of another.  How can I dare be open and vulnerable in the presence of God with my history of weakness and failure?

The answer has to do with who has preceded me there into God’s presence.  Jesus has returned to the presence of the Father and there still lives a human life.  He experiences with us the weaknesses and struggles of our humanity and feels with us.  Because we have faith in Christ, we are united with him.  So, in Christ, our human struggle already exists in God’s presence.

To feel free to be vulnerable with God, even if it feels like we are limping into God’s presence, means that we have faith in Christ and are counting on that connection.  Jesus prays for us each day, just as we pray for those we love.  God’s loving invitation and acceptance give us ground on which to share in Christian community as well.  Receiving one another in our weakness and brokenness mirrors God’s acceptance of us and subverts the isolation and loneliness that shame imposes.

Hebrews 2 :13 says that Jesus is delighted with us as his younger siblings “. . . for this reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” When my  beloved younger brother, John, was dying with pancreatic cancer, I felt at times like I was in his skin and dying with him. My heart literally brimmed with love and respect. Could Jesus possibly feel about me like I did about John? According to this text, that’s a “yes.” Thinking of Jesus as my older brother deepens that sense of connection and belonging that frees me to be even more open about my struggles and my need for divine grace.

Master orator, poet, and Anglican priest, G. A. Studdert-Kennedy captures that sense of bonding with the risen, human Jesus poetically.

Tis that weakness in strength that I cry for--my flesh

     that I seek

In the Godhead.  I seek it and find it.  O man, it shall be

A face like my face that receives thee, a Man like to me

Thou shalt love and be loved by for ever;  a hand like

     this hand

Shall open the gates of New Life to thee--see the Christ stand.+

+ G. A. Studdert Kennedy, "Suffered Under Pontius Pilate,"  in I Believe:  Sermons on the Apostles' Creed  (New York:  Doran, 1921), p. 21.

©David W. Perkins, 2024

Collect of the Day, The Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen..  (BCP, 215)

A Collect for the Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (BCP, 99)

A Collect for Early Evening

Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)

Daily Office Epistle, Hebrews 4:14-5:6

14Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

5:1Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; 3and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; 6as he says also in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’

Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer