“We have not a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness. Though he be the Son of God, as to his human nature, and equal in his Divine nature with God; yet, having partaken of human nature, and having submitted to all its trials and distresses, and being in all points tempted like as we are, without feeling or consenting to sin; he is able to succor them that are tempted.” Clark.
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 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 in 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.”
Every creature that is or ever was upon the face of the earth is known of God. Every man, woman and child that has ever lived was told of His saving grace and mercy. Every person was, and still is, given the chance to become a child of God. Salvation threw His son Jesus was even given to those that had passed before the arrival of Jesus upon the earth.
As the Jews before Christ had a high priest to offer sacrifices to the Lord for the sins of the people, Jesus became the High priest, greater than any before, that offers up supplications, petitions, and earnest request, for our daily needs, our transgressions and our mistakes that we, as humans are prone to each and every day.
Jesus the Son of God, declared by God, understood by the angels and recognized as such by those that believe. Who knowing our afflictions, our trials, troubles, persecution and pain, makes intersessions for us to the Father for our benefit. We no longer seek out men to confess our sins, for we all now have a higher authority to go before that can not only hear our repentance but can also forgive, blotting out our frailties and sin.
Being equal with God, Jesus became God incarnate, appearing before all mankind, not as the Lord but as a servant to all, knowing that mankind was in need of salvation, to the Jew first and then to the gentile of which we all are.
Do we then believe that the Father made man flawed, for we suffer sickness, disease, famine, war and conflicts? Are the things that have passed, the things that are, and the things to come, that have plagued mankind are the works of a loving God? By no means, for it is the Fathers will that no man should perish but all should come into repentance. The troubles that man has faced and will continue to face, the hunger, disease, famine, wars and conflicts are the actions of man himself.
The Lord concerning man.
“For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth, To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High, To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not. Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? (No man can declare a thing to become into existence without the command from God. Man cannot create a blade of grass, a cloud; an animal for it is not within the power of any man.)Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good? Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.”
“For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” Mankind has chosen to accept the afflictions and troubles that they face because of their rejection of righteousness. They seek out only the pleasures of the flesh and the pride of life. Men complain and say that God allows suffering but they do not look within themselves to ask if it is their fault that these things occur; it is easier for them to blame the blameless, especially God. They look toward Jesus as the cause for the conflicts in the world; they look and blame Israel for the lack of peace in the middle east, not knowing God or His plan for Israel and man.
“Jesus being equal in his Divine nature with God; yet, having partaken of human nature, and having submitted to all its trials and distresses.”
Jesus being equal in his Divine nature means Godlike; heavenly; excellent in the highest degree; extraordinary; apparently above what is human. Even though Jesus was equal with God in nature He took upon himself the appearance and frailties that mankind had, all to be able to understand what is was to be human. But unlike men He had no sin and neither committed any, for it was against His divine nature.
He understood all that mankind faced the diseases, the illnesses, the pain, suffering and even humiliation. All these things He took with Him to the cross, forever changing mankind’s fate, giving all men the opportunity to achieve this divine nature that He had, offering it freely to all that would believe upon Him.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. The Lord gives us grace because of our belief in His Son. We are never burdened with more than we are able to bear. Our source and supply of mercy and favor of God for everything that we have, are, and will bear, comes from the sacrifice of Jesus. Our belief in Him grants us everlasting access to the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. Our belief in Him grants us everlasting access to the throne of grace and the mercies of God, for He is our Father and we are His children.
Ars.
Heb 4:13-16 Lam 3:31-40, Webster, TSK, KJV, and Clark.
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