Notes of Faith December 19, 2024
Tempted and Tested
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Empathize and sympathize are two English words that are sometimes confused. While the Greek word for sympathy occurs in the Greek New Testament twice (Hebrews 4:15; 10:34), the Greek word for empathy does not. In modern terms, sympathize means “to have pity or sorrow towards another,” while empathize means “to understand and share in the feelings of another.” The meaning of Greek sympathize is more like the meaning of our modern empathize: to suffer with.
One of the benefits of Immanuel—“God with us” as a fellow human—is Christ’s ability to identify with our sufferings, to sympathize with us. “Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18, NLT). He had to “be made in every respect like us...so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God” (Hebrews 2:17, NLT). Jesus experienced every pain we experience, “yet without sin.”
When you are tempted or tested, you are not alone. God is with you; He has felt what you are feeling.
One Son God hath without sin, but none without sorrow.
John Trapp
Heb 2:17
He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Jesus not only knows all things but has experienced all things as a human. He went through pain and suffering so much so, that many of us will never experience what He did. He is with us in our pain and suffering and is the only One who will never leave you! Struggling with earthly things today? Cry out to God and He will answer… Focus on the end result of knowing and following Jesus. You were made new. You will be made glorious. Time is short. That glory will be here soon. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Pastor Dale