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NASB | Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. |
Bible Question: I was just wondering if there was any info on the Human side of Jesus. I have heard that Jesus has experienced everything that we will ever go through. Example rape... it was said that In His time period it was said that they way they stripped him of his clothes at teh crucifixition would be the same as rape today.?? Help? |
Bible Answer: I think the most important thing to understand is that Jesus is God incarnate. He is truly a man and he is truly God manifest in the flesh. Beginning at his birth, he was given the outside place a stable, yet he knew the love and adoration of those around him. In his years of growing up it was tradition that he would learn the trade of his earthly father Joseph. He knew what it was like to be misunderstood even by his parents. At the age of 12 he was able to discuss the Holy Scriptures with the doctors and lawyers as he went about his heavenly father's business. We would say in human terms he was gifted intellectually and yet those of his own people were envious of his knowledge and insight. After his baptism when God announced from heaven "This is my well beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" After this public declaration he knew what it was to fast in the desert 40 days. During this time when he would be physically tired and hungry Satan came to tempt him. He answered Satan's temptations with the word of God. During his public ministry and he knew what it was to be a prophet "without honor in his own country". He showed righteous anger as he drove the money changers out of the temple. However, his general attitude toward his fellow man was one of kindness and care; doing good on every hand. There were many times however, when he had to stand his ground and answer the hypocrites sharply when they tried to bring him down to their level. He did not tolerate people who professed to be religious and yet lived self promoting lives. He was very poor "he could say the foxes have their holes, the birds of the air their nest, and the Son of Man hath nowhere to lie his head". He knew what it was to be surrounded by needy people, those who flocked to him for help. He wept with those who wept as was seen when his friend Lazarus died. He could also rejoice with others at a wedding feast. He showed great sympathy to those who did not seem to know their need and continued on in life without hope. He also knew that he would soon die and he knew how terrible that death would be and yet he spent his last days making sure that his disciples had instructions which would help them cope after he was gone. He gave them great comfort in his words as he sense their sadness. He sat with them at the supper and knowing that his hour was come and suffered the sadness of being sold out by his friend for 30 pieces of silver. After the supper he went out into the quietness of the garden to pray to his father God. His disciples went out to comfort him and yet they fell asleep. All alone before God he prayed being in agony, asking God to remove this awful death, and yet knowing this was not possible, he was willing to bow to the will of his father God. He experienced the fear as the soldiers came to take him away and yet he did not fight against them. In the Judgement halls he was falsely accused, tormented and mocked. The great leaders of the day had no pity for him and even though he had done no wrong they delivered him to be crucified. His heart was deeply saddened as he looked at those who were dear to him, especially his mother as she watched the awful shameful death of her firstborn son. His friend Peter denyed knowing him and as Jesus looked at him "he went out and wept bitterly". There was nothing anyone could do to help him. In fact most people were treating his suffering and death as a time of celebration. On the cross he suffered the thorns, the nails, the beatings of man, the thirst and the shame. In his agony he listened to the taunts of his fellowman who hated him without a cause. He was alone, abandoned even by God as the earth was closed in darkness in the mid-day for 3 hours. I would suggest Psalam 22 as a reference of the sufferings of Christ. As the perfect man, Christ Jesus, he demonstrated unconditional, unselfish love toward those who despised him by offering himself as a sacrifice to God for our sins. He died with a sure hope, knowing that God would raise him from the dead. We should be cautious in trying to separate his human side from his spiritual side. He as a total man, a perfect man who lived as God intended all men to live. He is the Spotless Lamb of God. He is the uncomparable Christ, who knows our need and sympathises with our sorrows, because he too has passed that way. Yet without sin. Just a few thoughts Robert. |