“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.”
(Hebrews 4:15-16)
During the alleged two-year pandemic, Canada enforced some of the most restrictive mandates in the world. We were told not only how many people could gather in public places, we were told how many guests we could have in our own homes and on our own properties. People were reduced to the status of farm animals, being forced to receive experimental vaccines into their bodies. Those that refused were expelled from public places such as restaurants or sporting events. Many lost their jobs over the issue. The mainstream media, along with every other cultural megaphone, worked hard to silence anyone who questioned the official narrative. We were assured that those who did were nothing more than “a small, fringe minority.” Whether we agreed with the Canadian truckers’ Freedom Convoy or not, one thing is for sure: the support they received from millions of Canadians showed that they represented much more than a fringe minority. Those they represented were encouraged to know there were others that felt the way they did; they were not alone. Broadening the scope, we see that the human condition entails trials and challenges that, in their most basic forms, are things we all must endure and overcome. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man,” wrote Paul, “but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). As we traffic through the Psalms together, we discover that no matter what we are feeling, there was at least one faithful Jew in time past who felt the very same thing. Moved by God, he not only put what we feel down in inspired Scripture, he directed us to the God of all comfort, the One Who alone can give us the comfort and strength we need. Even more remarkable—and precious—is the mysterious truth reflected in today’s verse passage. God became a man in the Person of His Beloved Son in order to become the Captain of our salvation. In order to do this, he had to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; he too had to learn obedience through the things that He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor [give aid to] them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). Let us praise God that we are not alone in our trials. Our faithful and merciful High Priest is in us in the Person of the Holy Spirit, and with us in our redeemed community of fellow-heirs of the kingdom.
Let’s rejoice in these things together. God bless,
pastor john
English