grown. Unfortunately, there is a danger of thinking of the Lord this same way, forgetting the fact that the Savior is living right now and is available to us at any moment. There is a wonderful promise in Scripture which assures us, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heav ens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which can not 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" (Hebrews 4:14-16). In our celebration of this season, the Savior wants us to be concerned about our present state and His total availability. Christ be came a man that He might die, rise again, and evermore help us. This passage clearly shows that our Lord understands our needs (vs. 15). Je sus was a Man tempted in all points like as we are. Yet He was without sin. He certainly knows all about the problems we face, no matter what they may be. Most of our dif ficulties are involved with people. He knew about the ungrateful Ju das with whom He lived and to whom He ministered for at least three years. All of this and then to be betrayed with a kiss! He dealt in love with Peter who was so un stable. This big fisherman seemed to always speak before he thought. He experienced firsthand the hard ness and selfishness of men as they cruelly nailed Him on the Cross. The Good News is this, the Lord knows about your problems with people and He is able to sympa thize. More than this, however, He
is able to give you victory! He knows also about that temptation you may be facing. He knows how convenient it might be to take the easy way instead of the right way. He remembers the experience of Satan offering Him the kingdom of this world if the Lord would only take the easy way. Have you ever felt that Cod was so great and so far off that He could not care about your needs? This verse says He definitely does. He is touched by the feeling of our in firmities. A young preacher was appear ing before a ministerial examining board. One of the questions with a practical nature was, "What would you do if you went into the home of some parents who had just lost their baby?" The dedicated applicant thought for a moment and then replied, "I guess I would just weep with them." That fellow would make a good pastor. What better answer? Look at the heart of Christ while He was here. We see Him weeping over problems. There was the death of Lazarus and the rejection of Jerusalem which caused Him great sorrow and con cern. This is also the heart of Christ toward us right now. This passage also speaks of the fact that the Lord has demonstrated His ability to meet our needs. It is nice for people to understand our needs but most of the time, they cannot do anything about it. What a difference with our Savior (vs. 14). In Hebrews 7:25 we read that He is "able also to save them to the uttermost". You see, Christ not only understands our problems but, since He is now in heaven, He lives to make intercession for us. He is supremely able to meet our needs.
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