"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are...." (Hebrews 4:15)
The NIV says, "Who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses...." And the, "tempted," here is not just envy, covetousness, lust, hate, etc. It is also the, "tempted," to discouragement, feeling abandoned by God, and what Mumford called, "GB," i.e., the Jews desire in the wilderness to "Go Back" to Egypt.
Our text is not speaking of a "god" who sits somewhere in an isolated part of the universe and says, "Ah, I understand what you are going through, and I really feel for you. You must know that I love you and care about you." Now in most instances of deep human suffering that is about all most of us can say; not so, "The Word of God.., living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow," Jesus the Christ. Too many limit this passage to a sort of "I'm-going-to-get you" theology. Yes, there may be an accountability in these words, but there is also great comfort. It reveals the depths of Jesus' love and power. It reveals just how deeply Jesus in the Holy Spirit penetrates our deepest sorrows, sicknesses, pains, grief.
Jesus does not "put yourself in my place." Jesus took our place. Everything you or I or anyone on Planet Earth is right now going through Jesus bore, "in His own body on the tree (Cross)." Everything out to destroy you and me Jesus destroyed, "in His Own Body on the Cross." Peter tells us that Jesus took that "stuff" to Hell itself. Historic Christianity teaches that He left it there, destroyed, no more to destroy those who love and obey Jesus Christ. That does not mean we don't go through what we may be going through, but it does mean that whatever it is, whoever it is, it/they cannot destroy you in the hour of great suffering. "Christus Victor." And because Jesus is "Victor," so are you and I, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die....Because I live, you shall live also."
Father, in Jesus' Name, how wonderfully pleasant and comforting are You and Your Word. Amen.
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Two new articles at: jhs58.blogspot.com
Getting closer to our goal for both the DC and Berlin/Prague Mission. Many thanks to those who have already contributed. We greatly desire your on going prayers for the Missions and our daily lives/service. I leave tomorrow, 2/4 at 08:15 and will arrive home around 17:00 on Thursday, 2/5.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
