Our Watchful Shepherd

 

“Our Watchful Shepherd”

1 Peter 2:21-25

SUBJECT: THE PROFIT IN SUBMISSIVE LIVING

THEME: There are immediate and eternal benefits to living submissively unto God.

RELEVANCY: But why is this important to us?

Christ’s example and the message of the gospel impact our lifestyles and behaviors of submission giving credibility to our faith claims and confidence in our experiences. 

MESSAGE:

Jesus Is Our Watchful Shepherd in Heaven (1Pet. 2:25).

In the Old Testament economy, the sheep died for the shepherd; but at Calvary, the Shepherd died for the sheep (John 10).

“For ye were as sheep going astray” (1 Pet. 2:25; Isa. 53:6). Referring to our past, every lost sinner is like a sheep gone astray: ignorant, lost, wandering, in danger, without special care, away from the place of safety, and unable to help himself. The diligent “Shepherd” went out seeking and searching for us lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7). Heaven and the “Shepherd” rejoices when a sheep acknowledges their need, repents of their sin, and trusts the rescuing “Shepherd”. Jesus literally died for us sheep; so, we certainly have tremendous value to Him! This is the type of “Shepherd and Bishop” we have return to.

1. A Reminder of Christ’s Love, Protection, and Leadership.

‘Shepherd’ is a metaphor that convey the truth of Christ’s love, protection, leadership, guidance, sufficiency, and supply. No matter what comes our way this will always be true. In Christ there is love and spiritual protection against those who would harm us. We must be concerned with following His love, protection, leadership, and guidance as closely as possible.

As our “Shephard,” he is also our sufficiency and supply; his grace will always be enough (2 Cor. 12:9) whatever the challenges and he can supply our need when we have sacrificed to further his cause (Phil. 4:19).

B.    A Reminder of Christ’s Watch-Care, Administration, and Observation.

Now that we have returned to the fold and are safely in His care, He watches over us lest we stray and get into sin. The word “bishop” simply means "one who watches over, who oversees.” Jesus Christ is the superintendent of our souls.  No matter what goes bad, it must first be permitted by Him and He never allows too heavy a load to cross our little bridge. As the Watcher of our soul’s condition, it is imperative that we live to please Him. Also, he is fully aware of the circumstances and the challenges we face as we deal with the realities of submission to God but are under the control of mere people. People who occupy a position over us, but they are far from knowing our “Shepherd and Bishop.” I am so thankful the Lord Jesus knows and understands the situation completely.

C.    A Reminder of Christ’s Development, Growth, and Perfection. (In Us Believers)

Just as the elder-bishop oversees the flock of God, the local church (1 Peter 5:2), so the Savior in glory watches over His sheep to guard in every good work and develop us according to his good pleasure (Heb.13:20-21). Submission is part of our necessary growth in Christ! So our cooperation, communication, commitment, and surrender should mark our experiences in the Lord. He watches over us to grow us up in God.

This is the wonderful truth Peter wanted us to embrace as we live godly lives and submit to God especially in times of suffering, we are following Christ’s example and becoming more like Him. Yes, we are growing spiritually and becoming more like Christ. The unsaved world is watching us, but the Shepherd in heaven is also watching over us; so, we have nothing to be afraid of, be angry over, or resist submitting to. We can submit to Him and know that He will work everything together for our good and His glory. You and I must trust God for this.

CONCLUSION:

As the people of God, we must emphasize the importance of submission in the life of believers. This is certainly not a popular topic when lawlessness abounds in the quest for "personal fulfilment," but it is an important one. Peter amplified the concept of submission in the life of Christ as the servant of Jehovah. We must follow Christ’s example of submission as a matter of our calling to sustain a godly testimony before a watching and critical/skeptical world.

Changed and contented lives in a sinful and hurting world verify the claims of Christ and facilitates winning others to him. Simply stated, living right makes Christianity attractive and believable to unbelievers.  Additionally, by submitting to God, we accept the mandate to share the gospel with others by our words and deeds.

The driving principle in the Christian’s life is to live as unto the Lord God. This is true no matter what kind of human relationships we may have. No matter what the circumstance or the conditions, I am to live to please Him. This is the fundamental truth in all areas of Christian submission.

We must submit to Civil law and order. We must submit to our superiors in our work relationships, and we must follow closely the example of Jesus Christ. If we look to His example, we will be a powerful witness as a citizen, a godly witness as an employee and a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Phil 1:29, For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; No doubt this will require great TRUST on our behalf.  We must do as our Savior did and “commit” ourselves to Him that judges fairly (1Pet. 2:23).

Jesus is Our Sacrifice for Sin

“Jesus is Our Sacrifice for Sin”

1 Peter 2:21-25

SUBJECT: THE PROFIT IN SUBMISSIVE LIVING

THEME: There are immediate and eternal benefits to living submissively unto God.

RELEVANCY: But why is this important to us?

Christ’s example and the message of the gospel impact our lifestyles and behaviors of submission giving credibility to our faith claims and confidence in our experiences.

INTRODUCTION:

Christ’s Submission to God Involved Suffering to Secure Our Eternal Benefit. Please consider that the Lord Jesus suffered in life as a Servant to God (1 Pet. 2:21-25).

MESSAGE:

I.       Jesus Is Our Voluntary Sacrifice to Our Benefit (1Pet. 2:21, 24). Again, the Lord Jesus is not our Example in suffering wrongfully merely, He died in our place and for our sin! He is our Substitute. His submission to the plan of God involved suffering and dying for our sins at Calvary. 

1.  Jesus Died as Our Substitute and Not a Martyr. This reminds us of the great “Servant Chapter,” Isaiah 53, especially Isaiah 53:5-7, but also verses 9 and 12.
1. Jesus did not die as a martyr; He died as a Savior, a sinless Substitute. The word ‘for’ (1Pet. 2:21) when used in conjunction with the death of Christ has the meaning of a substitute.  This is NOT teaching that Jesus left us the example of how we should be willing to die for the truth or some great cause. It is teaching that Christ died in our place, in our room, as our substitute. The Substitutionary death of Christ.

                                                    i.     John 10:15, As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

                                                  ii.     John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

                                                iii.     Isa 53:5, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. He suffered for the supreme benefit of others!  That we sinners might be saved; let our sufferings lead to the conversion of sinners!

2. The word translated “bare” (1Pet. 2:24) means "to carry as a sacrifice." The Jewish people did not crucify criminals; they stoned them to death. But if the victim was especially evil, his dead body was hung on a tree until evening, as a mark of shame (Deut. 21:23). Jesus died on a tree—a cross—and bore the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13).

                                                    i.     Christ did not deserve to suffer (1Pet. 2:22), because He did not sin at all. The Lord Jesus lived a completely sinless life, therefore He did not deserve to died.

                                                  ii.     There was NO SIN in His pure perfect holy life and there was NO GUILE in His mouth or there was no deceit in His heart either. Matt 12:34, O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

                                                iii.     This means that Christ was the perfect candidate to die for the sin of the world. God required a sinless sacrifice and Jesus provide exactly that. 1 Pet 1:18-19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

3. Secondly, it means to us that we must live pure, clean and holy before God and the world. Jesus’ heart and life were free of any anger towards God, any bitterness about His circumstances, or any resentment in his emotions! He was not secretly holding these events against God; he did not expect better treatment because he was the Son of God; he did not feel slighted or mistreated by God for these developments. While he recognized that people were treating him unfairly, he did not make the mistake of blaming God for his pains. Remember there is nothing thank worthy or praiseworthy in being knocked around and beat up for our faults but if we suffer for living godly this is tolerable with God! His kingdom is not of this world.

2. Jesus Died in Complete Surrender as an Act of Trust. Christ suffered willingly and voluntarily as a matter of Trust in God (1Pet. 2:23).  This can be seen in three facts.
1. He was reviled but He did not rail back at His attackers.  He had the power to fight back and end it all with His spoken word, but He didn’t do it.  It would have been lawful for Him to protect Himself, but it would not have been expedient for His cause and us sinners.

                                                    i.     We need to keep this important principle in mind when we want to wage war against our government or when we have a legitimate complaint at work.  You may have a good argument and the right or power to voice your opinion. But remember our Lord suffered and died unjustly.

                                                  ii.     Sometimes we may have to overlook the immediate issue, surrender our power to fight back, look at their need for the Savior, and willingly suffer wrong that they can see Christ in us.

2. He was abused, beaten and crowned with thorns, but He suffered it willingly. He ‘committed’ Himself, His life into the hands of a just God.

                                                    i.     According to verse 23, He knew that God would vindicate Him and He fully ‘Committed’ (handed Himself over to God).  And certainly, God vindicated Him early one Sunday morning when we raised Him from the dead. 

                                                  ii.     We must TRUST God’s wisdom and God’s way. Suffering for any reason at all is not easy, but we must trust the council of God written in this passage. It Will take real faith…super trust…to Commit ourselves to God as Jesus our example did.

3. We as Christians need to stop looking entirely to the government to turn our country around and Trust God to bring us a national revival. We as Christian must first get right with God and then we will see the healing of our land. 2 Chr 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. It is not the government’s fault that our society is going to the devil; it is our fault. Perhaps we have been cowardly quiet where we should have boldly spoken righteousness! And it will not change until Christians repent! 

3. Jesus Suffered to the Ultimate Degree, and it was Extremely Severe. 1 Pet 2:24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,
1. Isa 53:5, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
2. 1 Pet 3:18, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
3. Jesus Christ took our sin, our guilt, our judgement and our punishment -----and bore them for us. When we trust Him we receive His payment for our sins and we receive His righteousness. We as Believers cannot die for our own sin—as our own substitutionary sacrifice. But it may be necessary to DIE FOR OUR SIN BARER. Not to atone for or sins, but out of loyalty to Jesus Christ. The reality of Christian persecution in America will continue to increase as our society becomes more anti-God and anti-Bible. There are reports of Christians being arrested for street preaching, witnessing, and passing out tracks all the time.  Those who preach on the streets are being arrested all the time.  Churches are attacked with lawsuits and court battles regularly. It is no longer a distant possibility it is an own going battle today and it could mean our lives one day for the cause of Christ. 

4. Jesus Suffered for Our Sin That We Should Live in Righteousness. 1 Peter 2:24 ....that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. This is the clear and expressed purpose for his suffering; that we should live unto righteousness. And the hold purpose of our submission is to point people to our righteous God! So continue to do right!

5. Jesus Died to Secure Our Spiritual Healing. 1 Peter 2:24 ...by whose stripes ye were healed. The paradoxes of the cross never cease to amaze us. Christ was wounded that we might be healed. He died that we might live. We died with Him, and thus we are "dead to sin" (Rom. 6) so that we might "live unto righteousness."
1. The healing Peter mentioned in 1 Peter 2:24 is not physical healing, but rather the spiritual healing of the soul (Ps. 103:3). One day, when we have glorified bodies, all sicknesses will be gone; but meanwhile, even some of God's choicest servants may have physical afflictions (see Phil. 2:25-30; 2 Cor. 12:1).
2. It is not Jesus the Example or the Teacher who saves us, but Jesus the spotless Lamb of Cod who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
3. Clearly, suffering for the benefit of others in not child’s play. Such trust in God is what Christ exemplified. Are we willing to submit to God’s leadership…to be His sacrifice…to lay ourselves down for His offering that will benefit someone else? Will we sacrifice rights, privileges, and opportunities for the spiritual benefit of others?   

6. Jesus’ Death is significant because all sinners abide under the wrath of God and we were all correctly sentenced to death. But JESUS CHRIST SUFFERED AND DIED IN OUR STEAD AS OUR SUBSTITUTE AND AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE! HE DIED FOR US! Therefore, if He took my death then I as a believer am no longer obligated to Death. That’s GOOD NEWS to us sinners!
1. Ezek 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
2. Rom 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
3. Rom 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
4. God Has Declared That the Proper Punishment of Sin is Death. We all have sinned; we all have a tendency to sin and God has condemned that tendency in us all. Because we have sinned against God, we deserve death. This death is threefold:

                                                    i.     Physical Death—This is the separation of the Spirit and Soul from the Body.

                                                  ii.     Spiritual Death—This is the separation from God, we are born in this condition because of a sinful nature. (Ps. 51:5; Ps. 58:3)

                                                iii.     Eternal Death—This is separation from God forever in the Lake of  Fire (Hell) also called the Second Death. (Rev. 20:11-15)

5. The Good News is that Jesus Christ Died for Us. He took the punishment for sin that we deserved.  He was completely sinless and could not sin, therefore He did not deserve death.  But He willingly died in our place and as our substitute.

                                                    i.     2 Cor 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

                                                  ii.     1 Pet 2:24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

                                                iii.     Isa 53:6, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The truth is that since Jesus Christ died for me and the penalty of sin was paid for everyone by Him, then we who have accepted Him need not die for our own sin.  If we accept His sacrifice for all sin…our own sinfulness, we receive complete payment to our sin debt the credit of death. We are no longer obligated to pay a debt that is paid in full by Christ. THIS IS GOOD NEWS!

 

Christ's Submissive Example

Christ's Submissive Example 

1 Peter 2:21-25

SUBJECT: THE PROFIT IN SUBMISSIVE LIVING

THEME: There are immediate and eternal benefits to living submissively unto God.

RELEVANCY: But why is this important to us?

Christ’s example and the message of the gospel impact our lifestyles and behaviors giving credibility to our faith claims and confidence in our experiences.

INTRODUCTION:

Christ’s Submission to God Involved Suffering to Secure Our Eternal Benefit. Please consider that the Lord Jesus suffered in life as a Servant to God (1 Pet. 2:21-25). In the Bible, our responsibilities are always connected with Scripture teaching and truths. When Paul wrote to the slaves, he related his admonitions to principles of the grace of God (Titus 2:9-15). Peter connected his counsels to the example of Jesus Christ, God’s "Suffering Servant" (1 Peter 2:21-25; see Isa. 52:13-53: 12). (W. W. Wiersbe)

Through his own experiences, Peter learned that God’s people serve through suffering. At first, Peter had opposed Christ’s anguish on the cross (Matt. 16: 21); but then he learned the important lesson that we lead by serving and often serve through suffering. He also learned that this kind of suffering always leads to eternal benefits! Peter encouraged these suffering slaves by presenting these imagines of the Lord Jesus Christ.

MESSAGE:

I.               Jesus Is Our Example of Trusting God (1Pet. 2:21-23).

All that Jesus did on earth, as recorded in the four Gospels, is a perfect example for us to follow. The Christian can always look to the incredible example in Jesus Christ.  He never sends us to where He has not been Himself. He does not lead us into the unknown but into the well-known. Jesus is our example in suffering while submitted to God.

        A.  The Great Call of Every Believer   vs 21

1 Pet 2:21, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: We are called to suffer as Christ did as He suffered for us while submitted to the Father’s will. 

               1.  The word ‘example’ means the pattern of some picture or letter that a teacher gives to the pupil.  The pattern is to be copied or reproduced.  The idea is that an exact copy is to be made; every detail of the pattern is to be reproduced. We are to be exact copies of Christ; We are to follow His pattern in every detail.

               2.   The word ‘follow’ is the picture of a guide leading us along a most difficult and rocky path, so difficult that we must actually put our feet in his footprints.  We are to follow Christ step by step, moment by moment, and day by day. In order to provide leadership, we must be willing and ready to follow the guidance given.

               3. The word ‘submit’ or ‘subject’ does not occur in verse 21, but it is obviously implied from verse 18,… “Servants, be subject to your masters with fear,” and verse 21, “because Christ also suffered for us”. Slave are to follow carefully Christ, Jehovah Servant’s example!

“Subject”, literally means “to stand under” suggesting subordination, obedience, submission, subservience, and subjection. Jesus Christ willingly placed himself under the Father’s authority, control, and leadership. Jesus trusted God completely!  

       B.  Christ Responded to Suffering with Submission. (1 Peter 2:19-20)

But He is especially our example in the way He responded to suffering. In spite of the fact that He was sinless in both word and deed, He suffered at the hands of the authorities. This connects, of course, to Peter's words in 1 Peter 2:19-20. We wonder how he would have responded in the same circumstances! The fact that Peter used his sword in the Garden suggests that he might have fought rather thin submitted to the will of God. Jesus proved that a person could be in the will of God, be greatly loved by God, and still suffer unjustly.

There is a shallow brand of popular theology that claims Christians will not suffer if they are in the will of God. Supposedly, if a person is right with God they will not suffer physically, spiritually, or financially. Those who promote such ideas have not meditated much on the Cross! They may claim first century believers suffered but not us today, but they have zero Bible evidence to support such claims. In fact, the Bible say much about and to suffering real believers!

It should also be remembered that our Lord’s humility and submission were not evidence of weakness, but of power. Jesus could have forsaken the Cross in his own power, but he did not. Jesus could have lived a luxurious life of opulence, but he lived like a poor man instead. Jesus could have summoned the armies of heaven to rescue Him from the cross, but he did not! His words to Pilate in John 18:33-38 are proof that He was in complete command of the situation. It was Pilate who was on trial, not Jesus! Jesus had committed Himself to the Father, and the Father always judges right. This act of trust in submission to God’s will is an example to every believer.

         C.  Suffering is Not a Means of Salvation. (1 Peter 2:22)

We are not saved by following Christ’s example, because each of us will never qualify according to 1 Peter 2:22: "who did no sin." Sinners need a Savior, not an Example. But after a person is saved, he will want to "follow closely upon His steps” and imitate the example of Christ.

Truly we lead by serving and we serve still even while suffering to do so. If God’s will involve a degree of disadvantage or discomfort, then we must willingly submit ourselves to His will to see that it is executed to His satisfaction.  

Christ submitting was taking the divinely ordered place in his relationship with the Father. Submission was not a requirement of the Father for the Son; it was given based on trust in the Father, that is, Jesus believed God’s Word and wanted to fulfil his role completely. In his person, Jesus was never made second to the person of the Father in general, but as Jehovah’s special slave, Jesus accept his Father’s leadership for our benefit.

        D. Salvation is Always by the Grace of God!

             1. What is Grace? Grace can also be described as the unmerited favor of God towards us.

a. The Apostle Paul defined saving grace in Ephesians, 2:8, 9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” We are entirely undeserving of God’s favor as sinners; He independently takes the initiative to grant us salvation motivated purely by His own character and love.

b. Donald Barnhouse said it best: “Love that goes upward is worship; love that goes outward is affection; love that stoops is grace.” God’s grace can never be deserved or earned; it is afforded entirely by a benevolent God who stoops down low to fervently extend kindnesses to us.

c. Dr. J. Vernon McGee aptly explains further, saying, “The grace of God is the passion of God to share all His goodness with others. Grace means that God wants to bestow upon you good things, goodnesses. He wants to make you fine and noble, and He wants to bring you into the likeness of His Son.”

2.     What is Saving Grace?

a.      With regards to salvation God does for us what we could never do for ourselves no matter how hard we try; He delivers us from the eternal consequences of our sins because He is gracious. Though we are utterly unworthy of it, salvation is given to us based on the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ (MacDonald & Farstad).

b.     Through a definite trust in the Son of God and belief of the Gospel as God's solution for our sin problem a person can be saved (Rom. 10:8-17).

c.      Clearly, Paul said, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). Christ suffered tremendously that we sinners might be saved through His sacrifice for sins.

 

Since forgiveness for sin and a relationship with God are freely offered at Christ’s expense, why not repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved? Trust Christ and God will save you by His infinite grace.

 

 

A Perfect Priest (Jesus Understands Us) Part 4

 

Lesson Three

Jesus Understands Us

Hebrews 2:17-18

 

Theme: Jesus Christ is not inferior to angels because of his humanity.  Christ, through His humanity, secured our great salvation which involves the exaltation of believers, freed us from the fear of death, and affords us the help of a compassionate High Priest in Heaven during temptations.  Christ’s humanity enables Him to understand our needs and challenges fully. 

Introduction:

Jesus was “made like unto His brethren” (vs. 2:17) in that He experienced the sinless infirmities of human nature. But, why?

Lesson: 

Why is Jesus the perfect high priest for us? (Heb. 2:17-18)

A.    His Experience for the Office. Jesus’ humanity enables Him to be a perfect and sympathetic High Priest to His people (2: 17–18).

a.      Being pure spirits who have never suffered, the angels cannot identify with us in our weaknesses and needs.

b.      But Jesus can! While He was here on earth, Jesus was “made like unto His brethren” (vs. 2:17) in that He experienced the sinless infirmities of human nature. He knew what it was to be a helpless baby, a growing child, a maturing adolescent. He knew the experiences of weariness, hunger, and thirst (John 4:6–8). He knew what it was to be despised and rejected, to be lied about and falsely accused. He experienced physical suffering and death. All of this was a part of His “training” for His heavenly ministry as High Priest.

B.     His Execution of the Office. Jesus Christ is both merciful and faithful: He is merciful toward people and faithful toward God. He can never fail in His priestly ministries. He made the necessary sacrifice for our sins so that we might be reconciled to God. He did not need to make a sacrifice for Himself, because He is sinless.

 

Question 7. It might also help the discussion if you ask how Jesus' pain and temptation are different from our own.

8.  In what ways is Jesus able to help us?

A.    Christ Can Run To Our Aid. But what happens when we who have been saved are tempted to sin?

a.      There will still be temptations to fall back into the way of death. But now Christ lives as our faithful High Priest to help us when we are tempted.  We who have been dead are now alive—and now we can hear and respond to the voice of God calling us back to a life of righteousness.

b.      Christ stands ready to help us!

                                                    i.     He was tempted when He was on earth, but no temptation ever conquered Him. Because He has defeated every enemy, He is able to give us the grace that we need to overcome temptation.

                                                  ii.     The word “succour” (Heb. 2:18) literally means “to run to the cry of a child.” It means “to bring help when it is needed.” The Lord promises to help us (Isa. 41:10; Ps. 37:40)!

                                                 iii.     Angels are able to serve us (Heb. 1:14), but they are not able to succour us in our times of temptation. Only Jesus Christ can do that, and He can do it because He became a man and suffered and died.

B.     Christ Can Intercede For Us. It might be good at this point to explain the difference between our Lord’s ministry as High Priest and His ministry as Advocate (1 John 2:1).

a.      As our High Priest, our Lord is able to give us grace to keep us from sinning when we are tempted.

b.      If we do sin, then He as our Advocate represents us before the throne of God and forgives us when we sincerely confess our sins to Him (1 John 1:5–2:2).

c.      Both of these ministries are involved in His present work of intercession; and it is this intercessory ministry that is the guarantee of our eternal salvation (note that in Heb. 7:25 it is “to the uttermost”—i.e., eternally—and not “from the uttermost”).

C.     Christ Can Understand Us. Because he was fully human, Jesus himself was tested by what he suffered (Heb 2:18).

a.      “Tempted” refers to Jesus’ exposure to conflicts, tensions, and suffering. The testing was not to show that he might fail, but to show his real power and strength under fire.

b.      This suffering refers not only to the Cross, but also to the testing Jesus experienced throughout his life—from Satan’s temptations in the wilderness to the drops of blood he shed in prayer before his crucifixion. Having undergone all the tests and temptations of human life, Jesus is able to help us when we are being tested.

c.      Knowing that Christ suffered pain and faced temptation helps us face our trials. Jesus understands our struggles because he faced them as a human being. We can trust Christ to help us survive suffering and overcome temptation.

d.      What are you facing that you need Christ to face with you? When you face trials, go to the Lord for strength and patience. Jesus understands your needs and is able to help (see 4:14-16). –The Life Application Commentary Series

D.    Christ Has Exalted Us. As you review this section, you cannot help but be amazed at the grace and wisdom of God. From a human point of view, it would seem foolish for God to become Man; yet it was this very act of grace that made possible our salvation and all that goes with it. When Jesus Christ became Man, He did not become inferior to the angels, for in His human body He accomplished something that angels could never accomplish. At the same time, He made it possible for us to share in His glory!

He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. Are we ashamed to call Him “Lord”?

 

Inspiration

 

Here is an uplifting thought.

It is an undeniable fact that usually it is those who have suffered most who are best able to comfort others who are passing through suffering. I know of pastors whose ministries have been enriched by suffering. Through their trials they have learned to “live through” the difficulties of the people in their parish. They are able to empathize as well as sympathize with the afflictions of others because of what they have experienced in their own lives.

Our sufferings may be rough and hard to bear, but they teach us lessons which in turn equip and enable us to help others. Our attitude toward suffering should not be, “Grit your teeth and bear it,” hoping it will pass as quickly as possible. Rather, our goal should be to learn all we can from what we are called upon to endure, so that we can fulfill a ministry of comfort—as Jesus did. “For in that he himself suffered being tempted, he is able to succor [help] them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). The sufferer becomes the comforter or helper in the service of the Lord.

By the way, by “enduring” suffering, God led me to my wonderful wife, Ruth, who was His intended one for me. (From Unto the Hills by Billy Graham)

 

Response

 

Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.

 

 

9.  How is Jesus' pain and temptation relevant to us?

 

 

 

10.  In times of trouble, why do we turn to other people rather than to Jesus?

 

 

 

11.  In what way does God equip us to reach out to others with compassion?

 

 

Prayer

 

Lord, we stand in awe of you for what you have done—you left your throne to live among us, you faced temptation, ridicule, and shame so that you could understand us, and then you died on a cross to save us from our sins. You gave up everything so that we could spend eternity with you. Help us to grasp the depth of your love. And as we experience your great love for us, help us to share it with others.

 

Journaling

 

Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.

 

 

How has Jesus shown his love for me? How can I thank him?

 

 

Additional Questions

 

 

12.  How should Christians respond to the pain that comes their way?

 

 

 

13.  How has knowing God increased your sensitivity and compassion for others?

 

 

 

14.  What can you do to show God's love to someone who is hurting?

 

 

For more Bible passages about Jesus' ability to help hurting people, see Job 36:15; Psalm 46:1; 121:1, 2; 147:1–5; Isaiah 41:10; 53:3–5; Romans 8:26, 27.

 

To complete the book of Hebrews during this twelve-part study, read Hebrews 1:1–2:18.

Recommended reading material:

Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary.