Jesus Christ Far Greater than Moses Part 3
Hebrews 3:5-6 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. KJV
The solemn statement of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15 (as we affirmed in the last study/commentary) is in itself a confirmation of the superiority of Christ over Moses, for it was Moses who declared that He (Christ) would be the One the people of Israel should listen to. God the Father then affirmed what Moses had spoken to the Israelite people all those years earlier concerning His Son Jesus Christ of Nazareth when He spoke these words from heaven, "While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear Him." (Luke 9:34-35) (KJV). There was never a voice from heaven that said, hear, heed, or hearken to Buddha or Krishna or Muhammad or anyone else for that matter, only our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. If there would have been other people or many other ways that God wanted human beings to come to Him, would'nt He have declared it in His holy word, however, the writer of Hebrews is the one who declared for us at the very beginning of his letter that God the Father is speaking through One Man only as it is written, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High;" (Hebrews 1:1-3) (KJV).
Therefore, we see now here in Chapter 3 of Hebrews the writer is finalizing his analysis of the comparability of Moses' ministry to that of the coming of Christ thousands of years in the future, "And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;" (Hebrews 3:5) (KJV). The life and earthly ministry of Moses and his faithfulness to God the Father in his assignment to lead the people of Israel out of enslavement in the land of Egypt was but a testimony of the One to come after him, as it is written, "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;" (Deuteronomy 18:15) (KJV) Jesus Christ who would humble Himself, even to the point of death on a Cross to lead people out of bondage and enslavement to sin and the devil, as it is written, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1:13-14) (KJV) into the freedom of new life in Him, as it is written, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) (KJV).
When the Apostle Peter spoke to the people (shortly after Pentecost), he referenced exactly what Moses had declared to the Hebrew people those many years in the past, saying that what Moses spoke then has now come to pass in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ and His subsequent death, burial, and resurrection from the dead and ascension back to heaven, Peter declared these words to the Jewish/Hebrew people that day, "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." (Acts 3:22-26) (KJV). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of this verse, "The fidelity of Moses was the fidelity of a servant; he was not the framer of that Church or house; he was employed, under God, to arrange and order it: he was steward to the Builder and Owner. Every ordinance under the law was typical; every thing bore a testimony to the things which were to be spoken after; i.e. to Jesus Christ, His suffering, death, and the glory which should follow; and to His Gospel in all its parts. The faithfulness of Moses consisted in his scrupulous attention to every ordinance of God; his framing every thing according to the pattern showed him by the Lord; and his referring all to that Christ of whom he spoke as the Prophet who should come after him, and should be raised up from among themselves; whom they should attentively hear and obey, on pain of being cut off from being the people of the Lord. Hence our Lord told the Jews, John 5:46 : If ye had believed Moses, ye would have believed Me, for he wrote of Me; 'namely;' says Dr. Macknight, 'in the figures, but especially in the prophecies, of the law, where the Gospel dispensation, the coming of its Author, and His character as Messiah, are all described with a precision which adds the greatest lustre of evidence to Jesus and to His Gospel.'"
The writer of Hebrews declares in this next verse how Christ being the Son of God the Father as well as equal with God the Father is the owner of the House (i.e. the Hebrew Nation and every nation on the earth that He created) is far above the steward of the house (Moses), as it is written, "But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (Hebrews 3:6) (KJV). The idea here is that Christ has not only built the Hebrew Nation, but also the entire world and all therein, so the Christian Church is His house and all of us who belong to Him, by virtue of a new birth, spiritual birth, as it is written, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you." (1 Peter 1:23-25) (KJV). We must be obligated by our love for Jesus, as it is written, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) (KJV) to hold fast with confidence and assurance the testimony of our faith always, at all times, and in all places, no matter what. Rejoicing in our salvation with a stedfast, solid, and sure hope, that is, confident expectation of eternal life in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is written, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4) (KJV).
Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of this verse, "Moses was faithful as a servant in the house; Jesus was faithful, as the first-born Son, Over the house of which He is the Heir and Governor. Here, then, is the conclusion of the argument in reference to Christ's superiority over Moses. Moses did not found the house or family, Christ did; Moses was but in the house, or one of the family, Christ was over the house as its Ruler; Moses was but servant in the house, Christ was the Son and Heir; Moses was in the house of another, Christ in His own house. We are now His Church, and shall continue to be such, and be acknowledged by Him if we maintain our Christian profession, that liberty of access to God, which we now have, and the rejoicing of the hope, i.e. of eternal life, which we shall receive at the resurrection of the dead. The word which is here translated confidence, and which signifies freedom of speech, liberty of access, etc., seems to be used here to distinguish an important Christian privilege. Under the Old Testament no man was permitted to approach to God: even the very mountain on which God published His laws must not be touched by man nor beast; and only the high priest was permitted to enter the holy of holies, and that only once a year, on the great day of atonement; and even then he must have the blood of the victim to propitiate the Divine justice. Under the Christian dispensation the way to the holiest is now laid open; and we have liberty of access, even to the holiest, by the Blood of Jesus. Having such access unto God, by such a Mediator, we may obtain all that grace which is necessary to fit us for eternal glory; and, having the witness of His Spirit in our heart, we have a well grounded hope of endless felicity, and exult in the enjoyment of that hope. But If we retain not the grace, we shall not inherit the glory."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
I am a Christian Writer of non-fiction primarily and a little fiction. My purpose for forming this site is to Edify Christians with my writing and reach the lost with the uncompromising Gospel of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Letter to the Hebrews Volume 20
Jesus Christ Far Greater than Moses Part 2
Hebrews 3:2-4 Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this Man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God. KJV
The story of the life of Moses is a peculiar one, in that, by all human account he should have been slaughterd along with all the many other Israelite sons born during the time of his birth, for this was the edict or decree or order handed down by the Pharaoh of Egypt at that time, "And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive." (Exodus 1:22) (KJV). However, the Mother of Moses hid him as long as she possibly could from Pharaoh's soldiers and then placed him in an ark of her construction, as it is written, "And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink." (Exodus 2:3) (KJV). God then placed it upon the heart of Pharaoh's own daughter to pluck this child from the river and save his life and raise him in her own house, see (Exodus 2:4-10). When Moses discovered that he was not an Egyptian but a Hebrew, he then looked out upon the burdens of his people and even ended up killing an Egyptian because he saw him causing physical pain to a Hebrew (Exodus 2:12).
Later on Moses was called by God/Jesus to lead the Israelite people into freedom from the oppression of Pharaoh of Egypt and Moses was faithful to God as it is written here by the author of Hebrews comparing the assignment of Moses to that of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, "Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." (Hebrews 3:2) (KJV). The English word 'faithful' (we have defined numerous times and so we will do once again) is translated by the Greek word pistos meaning objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believing, faithful, sure, true. In other words, the two (Christ and Moses) were sure and true to God the Father believing Him and trusting Him completely to do all that He declared He would do. Here is what God the Father declared concerning Moses, "My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all Mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" (Numbers 12:7-8) (KJV). The writer of Hebrews here is first pointing out to the new Hebrew converts to Christianity the resemblance or similarity of purpose and function between the two, for it was Moses himself who declared the coming of Christ to the Old Testament Hebrews when he spake these words to them, "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken;" (Deuteronomy 18:15) (KJV).
Here is what Vincent's Word Studies had to say of this verse, "Jesus was faithful even as Moses was faithful. The subject of the High-Priesthood of Christ, introduced in this verse, is not carried out in detail by showing the superiority of Jesus to earthly high priests. This is reserved for Chapters 5-7. Instead, the writer proceeds to show that Christ is superior to Moses, as he has already shown His superiority to angels. He will thus have shown Christ's superiority to both the agencies by which the old covenant was mediated. The subject is a delicate one to treat for Jewish readers to whom Moses was the object of the deepest veneration; but the treatment displays tact by placing Moses in the foreground beside Christ as an example of fidelity to his commission. Justice is thus done to the familiar historical record, and to God's own testimony, Numbers 12:7. The general sense of the comparison is that Moses was as faithful as any servant in a house can be, while Christ was not a servant in the house, but a Son, and displayed His fidelity in that capacity." It was Christ Himself who spake to Abram (later known as Abraham), calling him from among his own people and making of him and through him the Jewish or Hebrew nation, as it is written, "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3) (KJV).
Therefore, we find the writer of Hebrews declaring this very fact for and to the Hebrew converts to Christianity with these next words, "For this Man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house." (Hebrews 3:3) (KJV). Those of us who have some knowledge of design and construction are fully aware that the object/building of our design and construction surely is not greater than the one who designed it and constructed it, for it would not even exist but for its designer and builder. In like manner, it was Jesus Christ who called out one man from the earth (Abram) and through that one man built or formed the Jewish or Hebrew nation and certainly one member of that nation or family of humanity (Moses) is in no wise greater than the One who built the nation/family over many years (Jesus Christ). Here again is what Vincent's Word Studies had to say of this verse, "The argument is based on the general principle that the founder of a house is entitled to more honor than the house and its individual servants. There is an apparent confusion in the working out, since both God and Christ appear as builders, and Moses figures both as the house and as a servant in the house. The point of the whole, however, is that Moses was a part of the Old Testament system - a servant in the house; while Christ, as one with God who established all things, was the founder and establisher of both the Old and the New Testament economies."
To tie this all together neatly for us the writer of Hebrews makes it simple and clear who is responsible for building all things that exist, whether they be visible or invisible with these words, "For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God." (Hebrews 3:4) (KJV). Therefore, seeing that Christ is in the bosom of the Father, that meaning, He is One with God the Father, then He is God and the builder of all things and far greater than Moses just as He is far greater than the angels He created. Let us allow this to sink in deeply for us and that is, God Himself came down to earth and put Himself into a feeble, flimsy, and frail human body so that He could draw men unto Him for eternal salvation with Him after the first man Adam disobeyed Him. One more time this is what Vincent's Word Studies had to say of this verse, "The application of built or established to Christ (Hebrews 3:3) is guarded against possible misapprehension. Christ is the establisher, but not by any independent will or agency. As the Son He is He that built, but it is as One with God who built all things. The special foundership of Christ does not contradict or exclude the general foundership of God."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Hebrews 3:2-4 Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this Man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God. KJV
The story of the life of Moses is a peculiar one, in that, by all human account he should have been slaughterd along with all the many other Israelite sons born during the time of his birth, for this was the edict or decree or order handed down by the Pharaoh of Egypt at that time, "And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive." (Exodus 1:22) (KJV). However, the Mother of Moses hid him as long as she possibly could from Pharaoh's soldiers and then placed him in an ark of her construction, as it is written, "And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink." (Exodus 2:3) (KJV). God then placed it upon the heart of Pharaoh's own daughter to pluck this child from the river and save his life and raise him in her own house, see (Exodus 2:4-10). When Moses discovered that he was not an Egyptian but a Hebrew, he then looked out upon the burdens of his people and even ended up killing an Egyptian because he saw him causing physical pain to a Hebrew (Exodus 2:12).
Later on Moses was called by God/Jesus to lead the Israelite people into freedom from the oppression of Pharaoh of Egypt and Moses was faithful to God as it is written here by the author of Hebrews comparing the assignment of Moses to that of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, "Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." (Hebrews 3:2) (KJV). The English word 'faithful' (we have defined numerous times and so we will do once again) is translated by the Greek word pistos meaning objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believing, faithful, sure, true. In other words, the two (Christ and Moses) were sure and true to God the Father believing Him and trusting Him completely to do all that He declared He would do. Here is what God the Father declared concerning Moses, "My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all Mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" (Numbers 12:7-8) (KJV). The writer of Hebrews here is first pointing out to the new Hebrew converts to Christianity the resemblance or similarity of purpose and function between the two, for it was Moses himself who declared the coming of Christ to the Old Testament Hebrews when he spake these words to them, "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken;" (Deuteronomy 18:15) (KJV).
Here is what Vincent's Word Studies had to say of this verse, "Jesus was faithful even as Moses was faithful. The subject of the High-Priesthood of Christ, introduced in this verse, is not carried out in detail by showing the superiority of Jesus to earthly high priests. This is reserved for Chapters 5-7. Instead, the writer proceeds to show that Christ is superior to Moses, as he has already shown His superiority to angels. He will thus have shown Christ's superiority to both the agencies by which the old covenant was mediated. The subject is a delicate one to treat for Jewish readers to whom Moses was the object of the deepest veneration; but the treatment displays tact by placing Moses in the foreground beside Christ as an example of fidelity to his commission. Justice is thus done to the familiar historical record, and to God's own testimony, Numbers 12:7. The general sense of the comparison is that Moses was as faithful as any servant in a house can be, while Christ was not a servant in the house, but a Son, and displayed His fidelity in that capacity." It was Christ Himself who spake to Abram (later known as Abraham), calling him from among his own people and making of him and through him the Jewish or Hebrew nation, as it is written, "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3) (KJV).
Therefore, we find the writer of Hebrews declaring this very fact for and to the Hebrew converts to Christianity with these next words, "For this Man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house." (Hebrews 3:3) (KJV). Those of us who have some knowledge of design and construction are fully aware that the object/building of our design and construction surely is not greater than the one who designed it and constructed it, for it would not even exist but for its designer and builder. In like manner, it was Jesus Christ who called out one man from the earth (Abram) and through that one man built or formed the Jewish or Hebrew nation and certainly one member of that nation or family of humanity (Moses) is in no wise greater than the One who built the nation/family over many years (Jesus Christ). Here again is what Vincent's Word Studies had to say of this verse, "The argument is based on the general principle that the founder of a house is entitled to more honor than the house and its individual servants. There is an apparent confusion in the working out, since both God and Christ appear as builders, and Moses figures both as the house and as a servant in the house. The point of the whole, however, is that Moses was a part of the Old Testament system - a servant in the house; while Christ, as one with God who established all things, was the founder and establisher of both the Old and the New Testament economies."
To tie this all together neatly for us the writer of Hebrews makes it simple and clear who is responsible for building all things that exist, whether they be visible or invisible with these words, "For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God." (Hebrews 3:4) (KJV). Therefore, seeing that Christ is in the bosom of the Father, that meaning, He is One with God the Father, then He is God and the builder of all things and far greater than Moses just as He is far greater than the angels He created. Let us allow this to sink in deeply for us and that is, God Himself came down to earth and put Himself into a feeble, flimsy, and frail human body so that He could draw men unto Him for eternal salvation with Him after the first man Adam disobeyed Him. One more time this is what Vincent's Word Studies had to say of this verse, "The application of built or established to Christ (Hebrews 3:3) is guarded against possible misapprehension. Christ is the establisher, but not by any independent will or agency. As the Son He is He that built, but it is as One with God who built all things. The special foundership of Christ does not contradict or exclude the general foundership of God."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Saturday, July 11, 2020
Letter to the Hebrews Volume 19
Jesus Christ Far Greater than Moses Part 1
Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; KJV
To the true Israelite or Jew during those days 2,000 years ago, Moses was really the only man (besides the Patriarch Abraham) that heard from God, spoke to God, and spoke for God. As we see in the Old Testament, most of the Old Testament Prophets like Isaiah (who was killed by the Jews by being sawed in half tied between two trees), Jeremiah (who was throne into the bottom of an abandoned well) were disbelieved by the majority of the religious leaders of Israel as well as the body of Israelites also. Therefore, it was predictable that when this Man Jesus Christ came into the midst of the people declaring Himself to be sent by God and even further claiming Himself to come from the bosom of God, well that was blasphemy to the rigid, ritualistic, and righteous (self-righteous that is) Israelites at that time. As it is written, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." (John 1:18) (KJV) and as our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ declared from His own lips when praying to God the Father as recorded for us by the Apostle John, "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own Name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are." (John 17:11) (KJV), but the most definitive declaration by Him of who He was and where He was from is declared in this discourse He had with some of the Jews as also recorded for us by the Apostle John, "Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the Prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Am." (John 8:53-58) (KJV).
Therefore, it is by design that the writer of Hebrews seeks to illustrate to the Jewish convert to Christianity how much greater our Lord Jesus Christ is than was Moses, first with these words, "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;" (Hebrews 3:1) (KJV). The writer refers to them/us as 'holy brethren', meaning simply those set aside for God. The writer also declares them/us to be 'partakers', meaning simply partners or participants with God now through the Blood of Christ and sharers in the 'heavenly calling', that means, through the Gospel of Christ there is a call out to humanity to come to the Cross where He was slain for every individual human beings sin and partake in the call to come to heaven as an adopted child of God through Christ's Blood. When the writer calls them/us to consider Christ Jesus the Apostle (meaning He is the sent One to redeem, reclaim, and rescue us, as it is written, "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His Blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:12-14) (KJV)). Consider Christ Jesus our High Priest (meaning He is the preeminent spiritual authority in all the world and all the worlds He Himself created, as it is written, "Wherefore in all things it behoved 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." (Hebrews 2:17) (KJV)). The English word 'consider' is translated by the Greek word katanoeō meaning to observe fully: - behold, consider, discover, perceive.
Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of this verse, "The titles he gives to Christ, whom he would have them consider, (1.) As the Apostle of our profession, the prime-minister of the Gospel Church, a messenger and a principal messenger sent of God to men, upon the most important errand, the great revealer of that faith which we profess to hold and of that hope which we profess to have. (2.) Not only the Apostle, but the High Priest too, of our profession, the Chief Officer of the Old Testament as well as the New, the Head of the Church in every state, and under each dispensation, upon whose satisfaction and intercession we profess to depend for pardon of sin, and acceptance with God. (3.) As Christ, the Messiah, anointed and every way qualified for the office both of Apostle and High Priest. (4.) As Jesus, our Saviour, our healer, the great physician of souls, typified by the brazen serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness, that those who were stung by the fiery serpents might look to Him, and be saved. We have the duty we owe to Him who bears all these high and honourable titles, and that is to consider Him as thus characterized. Consider what He is in Himself, what He is to us, and what He will be to us hereafter and for ever; consider Him, fix your thoughts upon Him with the greatest attention, and act towards Him accordingly; look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Here observe, 1. Many that profess faith in Christ have not a due consideration for Him; He is not so much thought of as He deserves to be, and desires to be, by those that expect salvation from Him. 2. Close and serious consideration of Christ would be of great advantage to us to increase our acquaintance with Him, and to engage our love and our obedience to Him, and reliance on Him. 3. Even those that are holy brethren, and partakers of the heavenly calling, have need to stir up one another to think more of Christ than they do, to have Him more in their minds; the best of His people think too seldom and too slightly of Him. 4. We must consider Christ as He is described to us in the Scriptures, and form our apprehensions of Him thence, not from any vain conceptions and fancies of our own."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; KJV
To the true Israelite or Jew during those days 2,000 years ago, Moses was really the only man (besides the Patriarch Abraham) that heard from God, spoke to God, and spoke for God. As we see in the Old Testament, most of the Old Testament Prophets like Isaiah (who was killed by the Jews by being sawed in half tied between two trees), Jeremiah (who was throne into the bottom of an abandoned well) were disbelieved by the majority of the religious leaders of Israel as well as the body of Israelites also. Therefore, it was predictable that when this Man Jesus Christ came into the midst of the people declaring Himself to be sent by God and even further claiming Himself to come from the bosom of God, well that was blasphemy to the rigid, ritualistic, and righteous (self-righteous that is) Israelites at that time. As it is written, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." (John 1:18) (KJV) and as our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ declared from His own lips when praying to God the Father as recorded for us by the Apostle John, "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own Name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are." (John 17:11) (KJV), but the most definitive declaration by Him of who He was and where He was from is declared in this discourse He had with some of the Jews as also recorded for us by the Apostle John, "Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the Prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Am." (John 8:53-58) (KJV).
Therefore, it is by design that the writer of Hebrews seeks to illustrate to the Jewish convert to Christianity how much greater our Lord Jesus Christ is than was Moses, first with these words, "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;" (Hebrews 3:1) (KJV). The writer refers to them/us as 'holy brethren', meaning simply those set aside for God. The writer also declares them/us to be 'partakers', meaning simply partners or participants with God now through the Blood of Christ and sharers in the 'heavenly calling', that means, through the Gospel of Christ there is a call out to humanity to come to the Cross where He was slain for every individual human beings sin and partake in the call to come to heaven as an adopted child of God through Christ's Blood. When the writer calls them/us to consider Christ Jesus the Apostle (meaning He is the sent One to redeem, reclaim, and rescue us, as it is written, "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His Blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:12-14) (KJV)). Consider Christ Jesus our High Priest (meaning He is the preeminent spiritual authority in all the world and all the worlds He Himself created, as it is written, "Wherefore in all things it behoved 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." (Hebrews 2:17) (KJV)). The English word 'consider' is translated by the Greek word katanoeō meaning to observe fully: - behold, consider, discover, perceive.
Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of this verse, "The titles he gives to Christ, whom he would have them consider, (1.) As the Apostle of our profession, the prime-minister of the Gospel Church, a messenger and a principal messenger sent of God to men, upon the most important errand, the great revealer of that faith which we profess to hold and of that hope which we profess to have. (2.) Not only the Apostle, but the High Priest too, of our profession, the Chief Officer of the Old Testament as well as the New, the Head of the Church in every state, and under each dispensation, upon whose satisfaction and intercession we profess to depend for pardon of sin, and acceptance with God. (3.) As Christ, the Messiah, anointed and every way qualified for the office both of Apostle and High Priest. (4.) As Jesus, our Saviour, our healer, the great physician of souls, typified by the brazen serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness, that those who were stung by the fiery serpents might look to Him, and be saved. We have the duty we owe to Him who bears all these high and honourable titles, and that is to consider Him as thus characterized. Consider what He is in Himself, what He is to us, and what He will be to us hereafter and for ever; consider Him, fix your thoughts upon Him with the greatest attention, and act towards Him accordingly; look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Here observe, 1. Many that profess faith in Christ have not a due consideration for Him; He is not so much thought of as He deserves to be, and desires to be, by those that expect salvation from Him. 2. Close and serious consideration of Christ would be of great advantage to us to increase our acquaintance with Him, and to engage our love and our obedience to Him, and reliance on Him. 3. Even those that are holy brethren, and partakers of the heavenly calling, have need to stir up one another to think more of Christ than they do, to have Him more in their minds; the best of His people think too seldom and too slightly of Him. 4. We must consider Christ as He is described to us in the Scriptures, and form our apprehensions of Him thence, not from any vain conceptions and fancies of our own."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Saturday, July 4, 2020
Letter to the Hebrews Volume 18
Jesus Christ' Suffering for Humanities Sin has brought and continues to Bring many sons/daughters to Glory Part 6
Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted. KJV
The idea that God does not know something is a statement of blasphemy to some and it is simply oxymoronic to others, that is, a complete contradictory statement, however, it is neither of the two for it is a real statement of truth. When Paul began his first letter to Brother Timothy, he declared these words to him at the very beginning of the letter, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Timothy 1:2) (KJV), therefore, we see that God cannot lie, then we must conclude that He does not know what it is like (experientially) to lie. God did not know what it was like (experientially) to live in a human body (that He created) until He became a Man, therefore, we find the writer of Hebrews making this very comforting statement of truth for all of us who have been redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, "For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18) (KJV).
The temptations of our Lord Jesus Christ by the devil were real, very real, for in his human body He was very hungry for the 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and then the devil came to Him and whispered this, "And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread." (Luke 4:3) (KJV). However, instead of decimating, defeating, and destroying the devil right then (as God He could have done just that), He stayed on course for the Cross where He must go to save you and me eternally from our sin, so He defeated, decimated, and destroyed the devil's temptation with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." (Luke 4:4) (KJV). Christ not only did not use His Power as God, but instead suffered hunger in His physical body just as any other man would suffer being so long without food.
The little English phrase 'himself hath suffered' is translated by the Greek word penthō apparently a primary verb (the third form used only in certain tenses for it); to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful): - feel, passion, suffer, vex. God did not have to do this, yet love for His lost creation humanity moved Him to do so, as it is written in the Gospels on several occassions when our Lord Jesus Christ came upon the suffering of many He was move with compassion to heal them, as it is written in these cases, "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14) (KJV) and "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean." (Mark 1:41) (KJV) and "And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34) (KJV).
The little English phrase 'being tempted' is translated by the Greek word peirazō meaning to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: - assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt, try. The little English phrase "He is able' is translated by the Greek word dunamai meaning to be able or to be of power. The English word 'succour' is translated by the Greek word boētheō meaning to aid or relieve: - help, succour. In other words, our loving and merciful Savior Jesus Christ identifies with all of our human weaknesses in this corrupted flesh of ours and knows exactly what we need to fight against every attack from our enemy the devil, because He has lowered Himself below the angels into a human body just like ours and fought victoriously against the devil and his demons depending solely on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. It is written for us by this same writer of Hebrews a couple of Chapters down these words, "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) (KJV).
Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of this verse 18, "Observe, There was a great breach and quarrel between God and man, by reason of sin; but Christ, by becoming man and dying, has taken up the quarrel, and made reconciliation so far that God is ready to receive all into favour and friendship who come to Him through Christ. In things pertaining to His people, to their support and comfort: In that He suffered, being tempted, He is able to succour those that are tempted, Hebrews 2:18. Here observe, Christ's passion: He suffered being tempted; and His temptations were not the least part of His sufferings. He was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin, Hebrews 4:15. Christ's compassion: He is able to succour those that are tempted. He is touched with a feeling of our infirmities, a sympathizing physician, tender and skilful; He knows how to deal with tempted sorrowful souls, because He has been Himself sick of the same disease, not of sin, but of temptation and trouble of soul. The remembrance of His own sorrows and temptations makes Him mindful of the trials of His people, and ready to help them. Here observe, First, The best of Christians are subject to temptations, to many temptations, while in this world; let us never count upon an absolute freedom from temptations in this world. Secondly, Temptations bring our souls into such distress and danger that they need support and succour. Thirdly, Christ is ready and willing to succour those who under their temptations apply to Him; and He became man, and was tempted, that He might be every way qualified to succour His people."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted. KJV
The idea that God does not know something is a statement of blasphemy to some and it is simply oxymoronic to others, that is, a complete contradictory statement, however, it is neither of the two for it is a real statement of truth. When Paul began his first letter to Brother Timothy, he declared these words to him at the very beginning of the letter, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Timothy 1:2) (KJV), therefore, we see that God cannot lie, then we must conclude that He does not know what it is like (experientially) to lie. God did not know what it was like (experientially) to live in a human body (that He created) until He became a Man, therefore, we find the writer of Hebrews making this very comforting statement of truth for all of us who have been redeemed, regenerated, and resurrected by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, "For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18) (KJV).
The temptations of our Lord Jesus Christ by the devil were real, very real, for in his human body He was very hungry for the 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness and then the devil came to Him and whispered this, "And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread." (Luke 4:3) (KJV). However, instead of decimating, defeating, and destroying the devil right then (as God He could have done just that), He stayed on course for the Cross where He must go to save you and me eternally from our sin, so He defeated, decimated, and destroyed the devil's temptation with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." (Luke 4:4) (KJV). Christ not only did not use His Power as God, but instead suffered hunger in His physical body just as any other man would suffer being so long without food.
The little English phrase 'himself hath suffered' is translated by the Greek word penthō apparently a primary verb (the third form used only in certain tenses for it); to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful): - feel, passion, suffer, vex. God did not have to do this, yet love for His lost creation humanity moved Him to do so, as it is written in the Gospels on several occassions when our Lord Jesus Christ came upon the suffering of many He was move with compassion to heal them, as it is written in these cases, "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14) (KJV) and "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean." (Mark 1:41) (KJV) and "And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34) (KJV).
The little English phrase 'being tempted' is translated by the Greek word peirazō meaning to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: - assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt, try. The little English phrase "He is able' is translated by the Greek word dunamai meaning to be able or to be of power. The English word 'succour' is translated by the Greek word boētheō meaning to aid or relieve: - help, succour. In other words, our loving and merciful Savior Jesus Christ identifies with all of our human weaknesses in this corrupted flesh of ours and knows exactly what we need to fight against every attack from our enemy the devil, because He has lowered Himself below the angels into a human body just like ours and fought victoriously against the devil and his demons depending solely on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. It is written for us by this same writer of Hebrews a couple of Chapters down these words, "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) (KJV).
Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of this verse 18, "Observe, There was a great breach and quarrel between God and man, by reason of sin; but Christ, by becoming man and dying, has taken up the quarrel, and made reconciliation so far that God is ready to receive all into favour and friendship who come to Him through Christ. In things pertaining to His people, to their support and comfort: In that He suffered, being tempted, He is able to succour those that are tempted, Hebrews 2:18. Here observe, Christ's passion: He suffered being tempted; and His temptations were not the least part of His sufferings. He was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin, Hebrews 4:15. Christ's compassion: He is able to succour those that are tempted. He is touched with a feeling of our infirmities, a sympathizing physician, tender and skilful; He knows how to deal with tempted sorrowful souls, because He has been Himself sick of the same disease, not of sin, but of temptation and trouble of soul. The remembrance of His own sorrows and temptations makes Him mindful of the trials of His people, and ready to help them. Here observe, First, The best of Christians are subject to temptations, to many temptations, while in this world; let us never count upon an absolute freedom from temptations in this world. Secondly, Temptations bring our souls into such distress and danger that they need support and succour. Thirdly, Christ is ready and willing to succour those who under their temptations apply to Him; and He became man, and was tempted, that He might be every way qualified to succour His people."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Letter to the Hebrews Volume 17
Jesus Christ' Suffering for Humanities Sin has brought and continues to Bring many sons/daughters to Glory Part 5
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved 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. KJV
As we learned in the last study/commentary, the first man and woman (Adam and Eve) tried to hide themselves from the presence of the Lord after they sinned (Genesis 3:7-8), however, as the Psalmist (King David) wrote there is no escaping the presence of the Lord God Almighty, "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. (Psalms 139:7-10) (KJV). Ever since then, all of humanity have been trying to hide ourselves from the presence of the Lord God; the atheist does it by denying His existence (Psalms 14:1); the spiritualist/spiritist does it by listening to and following after seducing spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1); even the Christian (born again child of God) does it by presuming on the grace of God (Hebrews 3:12) (Hebrews 10:26-27). Therefore, having this as the background, the writer of Hebrews declares to us further the wonder, the wonderment, and the wow of our very own Creator taking on Himself the weak human flesh that is ours, yet living within it a perfect, pure, and pleasing life in word, thought, and deed before God the Father, making Himself and His Blood sacrifice the perfect and only substitute for humanities sin and sinfulness, as it is written here, "Wherefore in all things it behoved 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." (Hebrews 2:17) (KJV).
Let me say this as clearly, concisely, and concretely as I possibly can and that is there is no forgiveness of sin outside of Jesus Christ, as it is written here for us by the Apostle Paul, "But He, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." (Acts 13:37-41) (KJV); there is no heaven (for any person, not for the man Gandhi, not for the man Buddha, not for the man Muhammad) outside of union with Jesus Christ, as it is written, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) (KJV). The Lord Jesus Christ laid down His life in the human body prepared for Him (Hebrews 10:5) (before the foundation of the world was even formed) for my sin and for your sin and He considered it His duty or obligation to take on the very nature of you and I so that He could identify Himself with our sinful weaknesses, yet at the same time be completely without sin in Himself.
The little English phrase 'it behoved' is translated by the Greek word opheilō meaning (as used here) figuratively to be under obligation (ought, must, should). He made this promise to us even before we were created. The English phrase 'him to be made like unto' is translated by the Greek word homoioō meaning passively to become similar: - resemble. God loves us so much, that He made Himself look like unto us His bretheren and sisteren, how incredibly remarkably awesome is that. The English word 'merciful' is translated by the Greek word eleēmōn meaning compassionate (actively): - merciful. The English word 'faithful' is translated by the Greek word pistos meaning objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - sure, true. Our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ is a merciful mediator for us sinners at the same time as He is faithful to God the Father covering our sin before Him, that is, Christ and His Blood sacrifice for us is the atonement for all our sins (past, present, and future), that is, the compensation or payment for our offending the Throne of God.
Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of this verse, "Because He thus laid hold on man in order to redeem him, it was necessary that He should in all things become like to man, that He might suffer in his stead, and make an atonement in his nature. That He might be merciful - that He might be affected with a feeling of our infirmities, that, partaking of our nature with all its innocent infirmities and afflictions, He might know how to compassionate poor, afflicted, suffering man. And that He might be a faithful High Priest in those things which relate to God, whose justice requires the punishment of the transgressors, or a suitable expiation to be made for the sins of the people. The proper meaning of is to make propitiation or atonement for sins by sacrifice. Christ is the great High Priest of mankind; He exercises Himself in the things pertaining to God, taking heed that God’s honor be properly secured, His worship properly regulated, His laws properly enforced, and both His justice and mercy magnified. Again, He exercises Himself in things pertaining to men, that He may make an atonement for them, apply this atonement to them, and liberate them thereby from the curse of a broken law, from the guilt and power of sin, from its inbeing and nature, and from all the evils to which they were exposed through it, and lastly that He might open their way into the holiest by His own blood; and He has mercifully and faithfully accomplished all that He has undertaken."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved 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. KJV
As we learned in the last study/commentary, the first man and woman (Adam and Eve) tried to hide themselves from the presence of the Lord after they sinned (Genesis 3:7-8), however, as the Psalmist (King David) wrote there is no escaping the presence of the Lord God Almighty, "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. (Psalms 139:7-10) (KJV). Ever since then, all of humanity have been trying to hide ourselves from the presence of the Lord God; the atheist does it by denying His existence (Psalms 14:1); the spiritualist/spiritist does it by listening to and following after seducing spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1); even the Christian (born again child of God) does it by presuming on the grace of God (Hebrews 3:12) (Hebrews 10:26-27). Therefore, having this as the background, the writer of Hebrews declares to us further the wonder, the wonderment, and the wow of our very own Creator taking on Himself the weak human flesh that is ours, yet living within it a perfect, pure, and pleasing life in word, thought, and deed before God the Father, making Himself and His Blood sacrifice the perfect and only substitute for humanities sin and sinfulness, as it is written here, "Wherefore in all things it behoved 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." (Hebrews 2:17) (KJV).
Let me say this as clearly, concisely, and concretely as I possibly can and that is there is no forgiveness of sin outside of Jesus Christ, as it is written here for us by the Apostle Paul, "But He, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." (Acts 13:37-41) (KJV); there is no heaven (for any person, not for the man Gandhi, not for the man Buddha, not for the man Muhammad) outside of union with Jesus Christ, as it is written, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) (KJV). The Lord Jesus Christ laid down His life in the human body prepared for Him (Hebrews 10:5) (before the foundation of the world was even formed) for my sin and for your sin and He considered it His duty or obligation to take on the very nature of you and I so that He could identify Himself with our sinful weaknesses, yet at the same time be completely without sin in Himself.
The little English phrase 'it behoved' is translated by the Greek word opheilō meaning (as used here) figuratively to be under obligation (ought, must, should). He made this promise to us even before we were created. The English phrase 'him to be made like unto' is translated by the Greek word homoioō meaning passively to become similar: - resemble. God loves us so much, that He made Himself look like unto us His bretheren and sisteren, how incredibly remarkably awesome is that. The English word 'merciful' is translated by the Greek word eleēmōn meaning compassionate (actively): - merciful. The English word 'faithful' is translated by the Greek word pistos meaning objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - sure, true. Our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ is a merciful mediator for us sinners at the same time as He is faithful to God the Father covering our sin before Him, that is, Christ and His Blood sacrifice for us is the atonement for all our sins (past, present, and future), that is, the compensation or payment for our offending the Throne of God.
Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of this verse, "Because He thus laid hold on man in order to redeem him, it was necessary that He should in all things become like to man, that He might suffer in his stead, and make an atonement in his nature. That He might be merciful - that He might be affected with a feeling of our infirmities, that, partaking of our nature with all its innocent infirmities and afflictions, He might know how to compassionate poor, afflicted, suffering man. And that He might be a faithful High Priest in those things which relate to God, whose justice requires the punishment of the transgressors, or a suitable expiation to be made for the sins of the people. The proper meaning of is to make propitiation or atonement for sins by sacrifice. Christ is the great High Priest of mankind; He exercises Himself in the things pertaining to God, taking heed that God’s honor be properly secured, His worship properly regulated, His laws properly enforced, and both His justice and mercy magnified. Again, He exercises Himself in things pertaining to men, that He may make an atonement for them, apply this atonement to them, and liberate them thereby from the curse of a broken law, from the guilt and power of sin, from its inbeing and nature, and from all the evils to which they were exposed through it, and lastly that He might open their way into the holiest by His own blood; and He has mercifully and faithfully accomplished all that He has undertaken."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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