140706 Jesus, Always the Same

Hebrews 13:8-9a Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ⁹ Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings.

This passage of Scripture is often quoted like a fortune cookie saying. It can lose its entire meaning if we take it by itself outside of its context. We look at what Jesus was like yesterday and we will better understand what he is like today. If we can understand what Jesus is like today we can know what he will be like forever.

The writer of Hebrews connects, “Jesus Christ is the same” to the concept that you might be led away by strange teaching. We need to remember that whatever we do whatever we believe or teach must be focused on Jesus Christ. If we know what he is like we know what to expect from him. Folks, there are a lot of strange teachings out there! Don’t be led away from the simple faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is always the same! A number of times, in the New Testament, we are assured that Jesus, the Christ, existed with the Father.

Jesus was with the Father. In his high priestly prayer Jesus makes reference to that. We find it in John 17:5. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

When he prayed this prayer Jesus understood that he was on his way to the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, illegal trials, and finally, crucifixion. Part of his prayer involved the expectation that he would be glorified by the Father with the same glory that he had with the Father before the world existed. Jesus was eternal, is eternal, and will be eternal, forever. Jesus was not only present with the Father in the beginning he has been with him…

Through all of history. We are given a concise history of the faithful in Chapter 11 of Hebrews. Beginning with the Garden of Eden we are led person by person through the Old Testament accounts. Seeing how many faithful there were the author summarizes the end of faith history in Hebrews 11:32-38.  And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. ³⁵ Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. ³⁶ Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Jesus was with the Father before the creation of the universe. Jesus was there when Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Jesus, the Christ, was present throughout the history of mankind. He saw Enoch who walked with God until he was taken into heaven. He saw Noah, who was grieved by the world around him and his family, who built an ark to save mankind! Jesus, the same yesterday today and forever, saw Abraham as he came to believe God and receive God’s kind of righteousness. The Son of God was with the Father when Abraham separated himself from his earthly family to create a new family of the faithful.

Throughout Hebrews 11 we see Jesus’ hand of guidance and protection on the whole world. We see him making things come to pass in such a way that we would have the opportunity of salvation. Again and again men and women trusted God even though the circumstances seemed to contradict that faith! There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus was the manifestation of God in caring for the faithful throughout history.

Sinclair Ferguson speaks of the people of Israel in his book “In Christ Alone” Their faith always had three dimensions: on the basis of God's Word given yesterday, they lived as His redeemed people in the present, certain that He would keep His promises forever. We can read Hebrews 11 and become aware of how Jesus cared for his people throughout history. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and in that sameness…

When on earth, Jesus had compassion. One characteristic of Jesus that he always displayed, is compassion! It was very hard to choose the passage that best represents this. Early in his ministry Jesus encountered a widow who had endured a great loss. That experience is recorded in Luke 7:11-15. Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. ¹² As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. ¹³ And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” ¹⁴ Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” ¹⁵ And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

Compassion is the feeling that we have when we see another person suffering and want to help them. We “feel” along with them and are moved to do something about the problem.

Everywhere that Jesus went he was confronted by people who were suffering. He cast out demons, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and preached the gospel. His primary purpose on earth was to give life — abundant life — to people who were suffering. Again and again the Gospels tell us that he healed because he cared about the needs of the people.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Just as he cared about the sick while he was on the earth he cares about the sick today! Just as he wanted the hungry to be fed then, he wants the hungry to be fed today. However, giving a lost person a suit of clothes and food is a temporary “fix” for their problems. The greatest gift that Jesus ever gave was to seek and save the lost. In fact, he said that was his purpose!

The widow’s son at Nain was returned to his mother alive and well. He was given a reprieve but, he would die again. I certainly hope, and have every reason to believe, that he put his full faith in Jesus Christ because of what he had experienced that day. How many times he must’ve been told the story in remembrance of what Jesus had done for him. Not only did Jesus have compassion on the people when he was on this earth but also…

When on earth, Jesus prayed for us. We go back to Jesus’ high priestly prayer to find these words in John 17:20-21. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Jesus prayed for his disciples while he was on earth. I am sure he prayed for them many times but this is the only record we have of any lengthy prayer that he prayed. During this prayer he prayed for us! I remember a friend telling me about his experience as a young pastor when he came to visit an elderly member of his church who was approaching the end of his life. In the course of the conversation he asked the man if there was a particular passage of Scripture he would like to have him read. This man was blind and had been unable to read for many years. His reply caused this young pastor to question exactly what he meant. He said, “Preacher, read for me when Jesus prayed for me!” After asking for direction the pastor was guided to Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and the words that I just read for you.

While on earth Jesus had compassion on the people, he prayed for his disciples and for us. And his prayer was simple. He prayed that the Father would guide us all to be one in the same way that he and the Father are one. I don’t know all that this includes but I do know that it includes our treating other Christians with respect even when we don’t agree with them! Jesus’ goal in that request was that the world would believe because we are loving, kind and respectful towards other believers. When the world sees that quality in us they will believe in him.

Not only did Jesus have compassion on people while he was on this earth but…

After his ascension Jesus cared for his followers. Jesus’ concern for his disciples continued after he had ascended into heaven. Listen while I read the words of Stephen found in Acts 7:56-60. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” ⁵⁷ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. ⁵⁸ Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen defended himself with a lengthy description of God’s concern for his people throughout history. However, as he came to the end he charged them with having killed Jesus. The people were angry at what he said. Then, as he was facing death by stoning, he saw Jesus! The same one who had cared for his people while he was on the earth continues to care for his people from heaven.

Most of the time Jesus is represented as having been seated at the right hand of power in heaven. In this instance Stephen saw him standing. In exactly the same way we might stand to greet a friend or family member as they come into our presence, Jesus stood to welcome his faithful servant, Stephen.

Jesus continues to care for us in the same way. In fact…

Jesus is our mediator. Paul writes to Timothy, his son in the faith, to urge him to pray for all people. After all, listen to 1 Timothy 2:5. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, has always been with all his people throughout history. He not only came to bear our sins in his own body on the cross, he covered our sin with his own blood and continues to care for his people. A part of that caring is his standing between us and God the Father as a mediator!

Job, in the depth of his misery, cried out for someone to stand between him and God! By faith he said, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” Our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, stands before the Father and enters a plea of “Not guilty” because he has taken our guilt and bore our shame. He doesn’t just plead our case in heaven…

Jesus is our guarantor. When a person has to have a loan, and they do not have sufficient credit, they need someone to guarantee repayment. Listen while I read Hebrews 7:20-25 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, ²¹ but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” ²² This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. ²³ The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, ²⁴ but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. ²⁵ Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever, is able to save anyone who comes to God through him. Jesus has replaced the earthly priests, who were temporary, because he lives forever.

In our day-to-day living a co-signer only has to pay if the person they guarantee does not. In our spiritual life our co-signer simply paid the debt in the beginning! He ever lives and intercedes for us and guarantees salvation for all that the Father brings to him. Since he is our mediator and our guarantee then…

Nothing can keep his people from him. I feel sorry for those people who believe, because they have been taught to believe it, that they can never know that they are truly saved! That being the case, they can never know spiritual security. I am here today to tell you that if you are born again you cannot be taken from him. Listen while I read Romans 8:31-39. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus said while he was on earth that his sheep know his voice and will follow him. He promised to give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one could snatch them out of his hand. He and the Father are one guaranteeing that we have secure salvation. Paul writes to the Romans asking how we could doubt our security when it is God who gave his own Son to provide it.

This Son died for us, he was raised by the power of God from the dead, and sits at the right hand of God in heaven interceding for us insuring the guarantee. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Throughout history he preserved his people. Again and again he protected his people in the past and will continue to do so today. We can look forward to continued protection in the future. He is our guarantee! It is not by works of righteousness that we have done that we are secure. It is by the works of righteousness that he did on the cross, and in the tomb, that we have security. He is faithful! He will do it! Praise God for our security!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. He has, in himself, all the attributes of God. He exists eternally. He is all knowing, unchanging and filled with compassion. We can cast all of our cares on him because he cares for us. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. He is with us always and will provide for all of our needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Jesus is our loving, compassionate, protector. And he will not turn away anyone who comes to him. Have you put your faith in him? Please, don’t turn Jesus away. Today is the day of salvation.

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

140316 Jesus, Son of Man

Mark 2:1-12 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Matthew, Mark, and Luke seemed to be in agreement that this event was the first time that Jesus used the term Son of Man to describe himself. In fact, it appears that Son of Man is the term Jesus preferred. I believe he did this because he wanted it understood that he was totally identified with humanity. The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man in one person, and will be so forever. There is a massive amount of scriptural evidence to support this truth. We are going to look at several different passages of Scripture that teach us about the humanity of Jesus. Next week we will look at the divinity of Jesus and the following week how the two natures combined in one.

How do we know Jesus was human? Does his humanity make any difference? How should his being human affect me? It is difficult to know exactly what order all this should be in. So, I will just take it as it comes to mind and pray that God sorts it out for each one of you who listen or who read this message.

Jesus was born of a human mother. We have read this passage a number of times because I believe it is very important to understanding who Jesus was and how he came into the world. Listen while I read Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

At the right time God sent forth his Son. And then the words are added “born of a woman”. How might Jesus have come into the world? Some have suggested that God could have had Jesus simply appear on the scene in a fully adult body. That simplistic approach misses several things that are very important biblically. First of all, in Genesis 3:15 we are told that the “seed of the woman” would ultimately destroy the serpent. In order to fulfill that prophecy Christ had to be born of a woman. Second, Jesus had to have been born of a woman in order to unite humanity with divinity. Jesus was protected from fallen human nature because he had no human father descended from Adam. From Mary he received his humanity and from the Holy Spirit he received his deity. Without this his death on the cross would have been meaningless. We must remember that Jesus was born of a human mother and…

Jesus had a human body. Throughout the Gospels there is adequate evidence that Jesus had a fully functioning human body. We are told that he grew in stature and in favor with God and man. Growth in stature would require a fully human body that changed over the years. Jesus had human limitations in that he was hungry, thirsty and tired at various times. The greatest evidence that he had a human body is the fact that he died on the cross. If he was somehow pretending to be human he would have had to pretend to be dead. While that might answer the concerns of some critics it certainly doesn’t fit with our biblical understanding. After his resurrection from the dead he showed them evidence of his fully functioning human body. This recorded in Luke 24:36-43. As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Earlier, he had appeared physically to Mary and then to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. In this scene Jesus, knowing their questions, proved his humanity by asking them to touch him and look at his scars. Then he added the question, “Have you anything here to eat?” Later, he would meet with them at the seashore and cook a meal for them. All of this proves that his body was, and still is, fully human.

Not only was Jesus born of a woman having a fully functioning human body but also…

Jesus had a human mind. I’m sure that Luke wrote a lot of his gospel based on the memories of Mary, Jesus’ human mother. These words found in Luke 2:52 would surely have been from her. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Jesus increased in wisdom and that tells us that he had mental limitations based on his humanity because he had to “grow up” in knowledge. He had to learn to walk and talk. He had to learn how to read and write as well as how to be obedient to his parents. I’m afraid we don’t think very much about this period in Jesus’ life because we are told very little but Scripture is very clear that that was exactly what happened. We have no idea when Jesus became aware that he was more than just a man but it happened at or before his 12^th birthday. At that time he stayed behind in the Temple because it was his “Father’s house”. So surely he knew and understood a great deal about who he was by that time. But he still had to acquire knowledge the same way we do through study and experience.

Jesus was born of a woman, having a fully functioning human body, and he also had a human mind. To go with all that…

Jesus had human emotions. There are many examples that show us Jesus’ human emotions. Probably the clearest picture is found in John 11:33-38. Jesus has arrived at the tomb of his friend, Lazarus, John tells us what happened when he saw Lazarus’ sister. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.

When Jesus witnessed the mourners at Lazarus’ funeral he was deeply moved and greatly troubled. There is no explanation in John’s Gospel as to exactly why Jesus was moved and troubled. It might have been the fact that he was going to call Lazarus back from heaven to earth. However I believe his love for Lazarus caused him to experience the same emotions as the other people were experiencing around him.

We know that he felt compassion on the crowds when they were hungry or tired. We know that he expressed some level of frustration when he said things like, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you?”

Jesus was born of a woman, having a fully functioning human body, and he also had a human mind. Without a doubt Jesus had human emotions but unlike us Jesus had no sin of his own. In fact…

Jesus was sinless. There are a number of scripture passages we can turn to in support of Jesus’ spiritual perfection. Since this is such an important concept I want to read several of them. First, Hebrews 4:15, For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Our high priest, Jesus Christ, can sympathize with us because he was tempted as we are. At the same time, our high priest, Jesus Christ, was without sin. Now let’s look at 1 Peter 1:17-19.  And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. We were ransomed with the precious blood of Christ. Since he had no sin of his own he could become sin for us and be the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Further in 1 Peter 2:22 we find these words He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. No sin and no deceit was found in him. And then John wrote in 1 John 3:5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

Jesus could take away sins because in him there was no sin.

I have heard someone argue that surely Jesus must have sinned because he became angry in the Temple when he found it turned into a place of merchandise and a den of thieves. Remember, he overturned the money changer’s tables and took a whip and drove the livestock out of the Temple area. I have no doubt that Jesus was angry but that was not sin. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that we could be angry and sin not. There are a great many things in life that should cause us to be angry. I’m afraid that we are too insensitive to the concept of right and wrong today. When we do get angry it is usually about the wrong thing and at the right time we fail to get angry.

Jesus was born of a woman, having a fully functioning human body, and he also had a human mind. Without a doubt Jesus had human emotions but unlike us Jesus had no sin of his own. In fact, Jesus was sinless so that he could take our sins on our behalf. You see…

Jesus’ humanity allowed him to represent us. Since the wages of sin is death mankind is desperately in need of a representative to stand before God on our behalf. Adam was the representative head of the human race and his sin falls on us all. Listen while I read Romans 5:17-19. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Death reigned through the sin of one man our ancient ancestor, Adam. When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night he was told that he had to be “born again”. You see, we are all born wrong! Spiritually, all mankind are born dead having inherited from Adam a sin nature and then having our own trespasses and sins. Adam was the representative head of the human race. We need to be removed from the spiritual lineage of Adam and brought into the spiritual lineage of Jesus Christ. One trespass led to condemnation for all men. The many were made sinners by Adam’s disobedience and the many will be made righteous by the obedience of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was born of a woman, having a fully functioning human body, and he also had a human mind. Without a doubt Jesus had human emotions but unlike us Jesus had no sin of his own. In fact Jesus was sinless so he could take our sins on our behalf. Jesus’ humanity allowed him to represent us but more than that…

Jesus’ humanity allowed him to be a substitute for us. In order to deliver us from sin Jesus needed to become our substitute. Listen while I read Hebrews 2:16-18. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Now there’s a lot going on in this passage. I don’t begin to have enough time to unpack it all. Suffice it to say that the writer of Hebrews, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, chooses not to say, “he helps the offspring of Adam”, and instead says, “he helps the offspring of Abraham”. Abraham is the father of all those who come to God by faith. Jesus came into the world to pay the price for the sin of all those who are saved by grace through faith. Jesus’ humanity did what his deity could not do — he identified with us so completely that he could become our substitute. Praise God that is true! Jesus turned away God’s wrath over the sins of the people so that we could come to him in faith for salvation. That’s what propitiation means! Turning away the wrath of God. God is pure and holy and cannot look on sin. Man cannot stand in the presence of God without some kind of protection. Jesus became our protector to stand between us and the righteous frown of the Father. There is an old folk hymn that teaches this truth for us. It goes like this:

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down, sinking down; when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul!

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on! And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, throughout eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and through eternity I’ll sing on!

It is amazing to think that the creator of the universe came to represent us and to become our substitute. Jesus’ humanity made that possible. That allows us to have salvation rather than condemnation. But the benefits of his humanity doesn’t end with salvation it goes on into the Christian life…

Jesus’ humanity allowed him to be our Mediator. This passage of Scripture is filled with meaning. I’ll unpack part of it. Listen while I read 1 Timothy 2:5. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

That there is one God is pretty easy to understand. And the separation between God and man is so great that we have a need for someone to stand between us. This is not just for salvation but for everyday needs. A mediator is someone who is able to understand both parties in a situation and interpret to each of them what the other thinks or feels. Jesus, who had from eternity past been face-to-face with God the Father, came to the earth in human form, and as Paul wrote to the Philippians, humble himself to the point of death even death on a cross. He came to represent us, to be our substitute and he lives today to be our mediator. During the days long before Christ’s birth, Job recognized this need when he said, “There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both.” But later he would say, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth”. Faith tells us that Jesus ever lives to make intercession on our behalf before the throne of God. We cannot come to God in our own righteousness but we can come with our mediator and dressed in his righteousness make our appeal before God. Please note that Jesus is called “the man Christ Jesus”. He lived eternally with the Father and now lives forever after as a man in a resurrection body. There’s so much more I would like to share with you. Suffice it to say that when he appears we shall be like him. Meanwhile…

Jesus’ humanity allows him to sympathize with us. Listen while I read Hebrews 4:15-16.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It is tremendously encouraging to know that God, and Jesus Christ, is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. The strongest of us suffer from weaknesses that we really cannot control. We may hide our weaknesses or cover them with excuses but that is never enough to meet God’s conditions.

We have a high priest who lived on the earth as a man. He was born of a human mother the same as we were. He grew up in a working-class home and worked with his hands for at least 20 years. He was tempted more than we ever could be because he never gave in to the first temptation. He knows by experience everything that we go through and stands before the Father on our behalf sympathizing with our weaknesses. This allows us to have confidence when we come before the throne of grace in prayer. We know that with such a mediator we will receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It is amazing to think of the fact that Jesus did not give up his human body after his death and resurrection. When he appeared to his disciples, even though he was in a resurrection body, he looked as he did before except for the print of the nails in his hands and the scars on his back and side. When he ascended into heaven, after spending some 40 days with his disciples on earth, he ascended in bodily form so that they could see that his resurrected human body went into heaven with him. I praise God that Jesus’ incarnation, including his death and resurrection, was not some kind of charade. Jesus did not temporarily become man instead his divine nature was permanently united to his human nature. Have you put your faith and trust in him? Today is the day of salvation!

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.