Trust . . . His Compassion
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Hebrews 4:14-16 (KJV)
- Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son
of God, let us hold fast our profession.
- For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
- Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find
grace to help in time of need.
The One Thing God Requires: Trust . . .His
Compassion
Hebrews 4:14-16
The Hebrew saints were Jews who had been converted in the days of Christ under the preaching
of the apostles. They were in great distress and were enduring "a great fight of
afflictions." They were constantly persecuted and severely tempted to give up the faith
(Hebrews 10:32-34). In this setting, the writer of Hebrews writes to encourage them to trust the
compassion of Jesus Christ.
It is necessary for today's Bible study to have a short Greek lesson before we begin. There are
three Greek words that have been carried over into our English language derived from the Greek
word pathos, which means "feeling." It is important to understand the meaning of these
words.
| Apathy -- |
to have no feeling. We usually describe apathetic people as people who don't
care. |
| Sympathy -- |
to feel for another. We send "sympathy" cards to let people know we
care. |
| Empathy -- |
to feel with another. Empathy is different from sympathy because the
one who feels empathy has experienced the same kind of pain. For example, I can feel sympathy
for a widower, but I can't feel empathy because I still have my wife. |
- We have an empathetic Savior -- "touched with the feeling of our
infirmities" (v.15).
Notice the Bible does not say, "touched by the feeling of our infirmities." Our
Lord is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. That which touches the body of
Christ touches the Head.
- It is healthy to feel . . . " (He) is touched with the feeling .
. ."
Have you ever met a Christian who believes it is "bad" to feel angry, or to feel "hurt" or to shed
"tears?" Some believers see Christianity as purely intellectual, but we are to feel.
- It is not the end to fail . . . " (He) is touched with the feeling of our
infirmities" (v.15).
For some reason people believe that the only thing that moves Christ to feel anything is one's
excellence in obedience, or ability to live a holy, sinless life. But it seems in this text that Christ
has feeling for us in our weaknesses. Hebrews 2:18 is clear when it says:
"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succor them that are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).
You say, "But he was without sin!" Yes, but he felt the strong pull of Satan many times.
- It is good to fear . . . "nothing in all creation is hidden from God"
(v.13).
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and the more you understand of God and reverence
and fear Him, the more you will hold to the profession of your faith (v.14). My profession of
faith is in Jesus Christ. It won't be there if you don't learn to fear God.
- We have an enduring duty -- "therefore come boldly unto the throne
of grace" (v.16).
When we trust His compassion, we will see our need (or affliction), and we will make the
conscious decision to come before the Lord "boldly" in order to find His grace and mercy. What
does it mean to come "boldly"? Most believers think it means to come "courageously."
However, the word "boldly" tanslates the Greek word "parrhesia" which is a compound
word (pas -- "all" : rhesia -- "speech") and has the idea of "free speech" or
"telling it like it is."
We are to trust the compassion of our Savior. When we understand that He empathizes with
us, then we can come to Him, pouring out our broken, hurting hearts, to find grace and mercy.
Questions? Comments?
Pastor Wade
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