Two-Fold Deal

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

“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

 

In reflection on Holy Week, I’ve been focused on the cross. The process by which we have salvation and victory over sin. But there’s another aspect to the sufferings of Christ. The growling trek that lead to the cross was a pivotal time between the life and death, Jesus went as far as to ask His Father,  “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will”. For Jesus to experience humanity qualifies Him to “sympathize with our weakness”. He was able to overcome the temptation to give in to the flesh so He could truly sympathize with us. There is a way to minister to people by hearing they’re pain or weakness, at that point we can either sympathize or empathize. To sympathize is to understand by experience, “I know what you’re going through”. To empathize is to try and understand but not having experienced the same pain or weakness.

Jesus, having been both God and Man, the writer of Hebrews can say, “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”. The victory won over sin and death also served as an example to us that we have a God who truly knows our frame. This, by no means, minimizes the sovereignty of God but helps us to know the sacrifice that was made also includes the benefit of a sympathetic God.

There is only one response to this kind of love, “Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need”. This verse instructs us to “come with expectation of receiving mercy and grace”. We can be expectant because we have a God who understands our weakness. The application of mercy and grace is applied to minister in time of need. What a wonderful truth we can celebrate at this time of year, a “Two-Fold Deal”, salvation and sympathetic God.

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession”.  Amen!

Have a blessed Holy Week.

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri and serves with her as full-time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can reach him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

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Think About This: “You weren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You aren’t an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman.” ― Max Lucado

 The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 28-29 , 2 Chronicles 1-3| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.