Today we will finish chapter two.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Here is the hope and relief we have in Christ Jesus when we face difficult times and struggle with trials and tests of our faith. Jesus didn’t become an angel, but He became a man of the Tribe of Judah, just like His brothers and sisters under the Father, so that He may know from experience what it is that we suffer in this life. Thus He can be far more merciful in His position as High Priest of the Heavenly Temple in His ministry of reconciliation.
For the ministry of Jesus Christ as High Priest is not condemnation of sinners, but reconciliation to God of all who have wandered away. Too many religious people are prepared to write off the folks they see as sinners. They believe in their own perfection and resent the idea that someone beneath them would be saved too. The surprise is that they themselves are in danger of damnation because of their unforgiveness and unwillingness to accept God’s will. Saint Peter tells us that God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but He wants everybody to come to the knowledge of the truth. Sorry for your dreams of superiority, dear Brother Better-than-you. But Jesus came to save the lost, not the self righteous.
The last verse here is a promise of hope for all of us who face problems in this life. The Greek word translated as tempted doesn’t necessarily mean enticed to commit sin. Rather it more often means tried as a lump of ore is tried in a fire to see how much metal is in it. The tests we endure are ones that Jesus experienced and understands. So He is able to better alleviate our stress and trauma over the testing while giving us the grace to see us through. Do not dispair when these trials come upon you, Jesus will see you through.
These tests are, like the tempting of the ore in the fire, a way to assay our value to God. Do we have the metal in our soul to live for God even when things go wrong? When the Lord returns in glory to rule over the whole Earth, we are to rule with Him. Do you have what it takes to pass through the fire of the devil’s testing and still be a person of God? God is not interested in “fair weather” Christians. He needs those who will stick to the way even when the road is rough. I plan to be worth something to God. Don’t you?
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