“Thank You Brother Jesus!”

“Thank You Brother Jesus!”(Heb.2:10-18).
A fundamental issue of faith which we grapple with in African theology is Christology. African theology is simply Christian theology from the perspective of African cultural and socio-political context. African Christology is therefore Christian reflection, doctrine and teaching concerning Jesus in both his humanity and his divinity; in relation to his nature and work.
Jesus is asking us the same question he asked his disciples: “Who do you say I am?” The answer is not to parody Peter by saying, “You are the Messiah;” the answer should be your understanding of him within your context.
There is no new teaching in this. The writers of the New Testament grappled with this Christology issue. The Jews knew Jesus as the “Anointed One” – Messiah. It was the Gentile world that gave him the title “Christos,” the now popular “Christ.”
Christology has an important place in the life of the believer. If we have to know Jesus, it is essential to recognize who he is, what he did and why. It is only then that one can believe in him and have eternal life.
African theologians have come up with a long list of christological titles, models and proposals for an African Christ. These include Christ an ancestor, warrior, healer, lamb, elder, brother, elder brother, initiator, liberator, etc.
How does ascribing any of these titles to Jesus make him relevant to the believer? It helps the believer to make sense of Scripture, thus bringing him closer to Jesus, the Anointed One.
Perhaps with this little explanation of christoligical titles, you can now understand a bit clearer how the writer of the letter to the Hebrews also grappled with the same issues, stating Jesus’ divinity as author of salvation, giving Jesus the christoligical titles of high priest and brother, and emphasising his humanity of having flesh and blood, suffering persecution, temptation and death.
We can only be able to overcome temptation like Jesus when we see him like a brother – a human like us; because it was in his humanity that he overcame temptation.
God made Jesus to be like us, “his brothers in everyway, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Since Jesus helps us when we are being tempted, we become overcomers
Weekend prayer: Brother Jesus, the high priest help us when we are being tempted. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.