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NASB | Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, it was essential that He had to be made like His brothers (mankind) in every respect, so that He might [by experience] become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things related to God, to make atonement (propitiation) for the people's sins [thereby wiping away the sin, satisfying divine justice, and providing a way of reconciliation between God and mankind]. |
Bible Question: I HOLD A BIBLE STUDY EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT MY HOUSE AND ONE OF THE DISCUSSIONS WE HAD WAS, "IF JESUS EXPERIENCED EVERY TEMPTATION AND HAS BEEN THRU EVERY STORM, (WHICH I BELIEVE HE HAS), THEN WAS HE EVER MARRIED OR IS IT BETTER TO NOT MARRY?" I KNOW THE PASSAGE OF IF YOU MUST TAKE A WIFE, DO SO, BUT IN THE BEGINNING GOD SAID IT IS NOT GOOD FOR MAN TO BE ALONE. WAS HE JUST TALKING ABOUT EDEN? |
Bible Answer: Suzyq: The important thing to remember when discussing the Lord Jesus is that he knew no sin and in him was no sin. He differed from you and I in that he did not have the capacity to sin. Why? Because he is God manifest in the flesh. We read "For in that he himself suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." Heb. 2:17 The verse which you have referred to is found in Hebrews 4:15 "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." We have to be careful when we interpret "all points" as every way. It was God's will that his son would come into the world to as a Jewish boy of the genealogy of King David and into the Godly line of Seth. He was a true man, he grew up without the impediment of a sinful nature, he was always obedient to his earthly parents and his heavenly father. God's will for him did not include an earthly marriage as his main purpose in coming to earth was to die for our sins. In Isaiah we read "who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living." Isaiah 53:8b In other words there was no one in the natural sense to continue his generation or seed. However, we find that it was God's plan that his Son would have a spiritual seed and a spiritual bride. "when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, she shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. In his death he could see the big picture. His earthly life would be cut off and yet God would give him a spiritual seed through his death and resurrection. We could ask this question "If Jesus never knew what it was to suffer from personal sin, how then can he sympathize with us? Jesus did not suffer for his own sin, However, he has experience the consequences of sin more than humans can ever know; when upon the cross he was made sin for us. The experiences of Jesus then, were experienced as a young Jewish man who walked in perfection before God and Man. He fulfilled the law totally. Although he did not experience each specific thing which we may experience; his experience in living, suffering, dying, being resurrected, and his ascention to the right hand of God, all of this equips him to understand our needs and sorrows. The word "Temptation" in the scriptures has two meanings, 1. testing under trial 2. solicitation to evil The Lord has promised us that in times of testing he will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able. However, God never tempts with sin. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived it bringth forth sin; sin when it is finished bringeth forth death. James 1:13-15 As Christians we must try to differentiate between testing which will mature us in the Lord and our own lust which draws us into sin and breaks our fellowship with God. In Summary, the Lord Jesus knew what it was to be tested during his time on earth. However, he never knew what it was to be tempted with sin. "God cannot be tempted with evil" In addition, the example of the Lord Jesus should not determine whether or not we should marry. God in the early creation indicated that this was his desire that a man would cleave to his wife and they would be one flesh. Paul teaches the truth you are touching on. If we are willing to sacrifice a marriage relationship for the glory of God, we will be blessed and be able to serve the Lord without distractions. Many however, make the choice to marry and to be workers together in the Lord's service. Either way we can be pleasing to the Lord. In Christ Robert |