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Conclusion "Behold the Man", "Behold the Lamb of God" We read in Zech.6v12., "Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH!" In Jn.19v6., Pilate desiring to excite sympathy in the crowd for Jesus, presented the brutalised and mutilated body of Jesus to them, and said "Behold the man," but the envious Jewish religious leaders were ferociously determined that Jesus should die, and demanded that Jesus should be crucified. John the Baptist, directed by the Holy Spirit, urged the first disciples of Jesus to, "Behold the Lamb of God! Jn.1v29,36. Let us also take heed to His words. The Church has largely failed to obey the command of Heb.3v1. and 12v3., to "Consider Jesus," and dwell on the glory and wonder of His victory over His humanity, and against implacable spiritual and human foes, and against great odds. Let us obey the command, and truly "consider Jesus," and behold the dreadful bruising of the Lamb of God. THE GLORY AND VICTORY OF OUR LORD’S HUMANITY. Some theologians state that Jesus was never really tempted like we are, in spite of the fact that Heb.4v15., definitely states that Jesus "was in all points tempted like as we are." They feel and teach that all Jesus had to do to solve His problems and do His miracles, was turn on His divine power and deity. This is a travesty of the truth, and completely hides the real Jesus from us. Jesus entered fully into the reality and limitations our humanity. This is beyond any contradiction, undeniably confirmed by Heb.4v15., "For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." When people say that Jesus was made differently to us, and His flesh and blood was different from ours, they contradict the Scriptures, which state that Jesus was made in all points like us. Heb.2v17,18. “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. v18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (NKJ) The apostle John tells us in 1John.4v2,3., that if we deny Christ's humanity we "are not of God." The person who is a true Christian and, “is of God,” accept what the Scriptures teach concerning the person of Christ, His humanity and deity, and accept what He taught concerning eternal life, salvation, Heaven and Hell, and love and healing, etc. John tells us that those who deny the vital Scriptural truths concerning Christ, are “antichrist,” and “not of God”. There are many false teachers about today, and Christians, particularly those who are young in the faith, need to store in their minds the truths of the Scriptures about Jesus, so that they can give an answer to the active and ardent servants of the Devil. Those who know the Scriptures will be able to answer these false teachers, and may, with love, tact, and prayer, win them over to the truth. I pray that my studies will not only inform and teach Christians the vital truths in God's Word about our dear Lord Jesus, but that they also may save many from the snares of false devilish doctrines, which damn and destroy the soul. 2Pet.2v1. A. T. Robertson states that Heb.2v17,18., teaches the true sympathetic humanity of Jesus. {Merciful and faithful high priest} “eleêmôn kai pistos archiereus.” The sudden use of “archiereus” here for Jesus has been anticipated by Heb.1:3; 2:9. and see 3:1.. Jesus as the priest-victim is the chief topic of the Epistle. These two adjectives “eleêmôn” and “pistos” touch the chief points in the function of the high priest (Heb.5:1-10.), sympathy and fidelity to God. The Sadducean high priests (Annas and Caiaphas) were political and ecclesiastical tools and puppets out of sympathy with the people and chosen by Rome. {In things pertaining to God} “ta pros ton theon.” The adverbial accusative of the article is a common idiom. See the very idiom “ta pros ton theon” in Exod.18:19; Rom.15:17.. This use of “pros” we had already in Heb 1:7f.. On the Day of Atonement the high priest entered the holy of holies and officiated in behalf of the people. {To make propitiation for} “eis to hilaskesthai.” Purpose clause with “eis to” and the infinitive (common Greek idiom), here present indirect middle of “hilaskomai,” to render propitious to oneself (from “hilaos,” Attic “hileôs,” gracious). This idea occurs in the LXX (Ps 65:3.), but only here in N.T., though in Luke.18:13. the passive form “hilasthêti” occurs as in 2Kings.5:18.. In 1John.2:2. we have “hilasmos” used of Christ (cf. Heb 7:25.). The inscriptions illustrate the meaning in Heb 2:17. as well as the LXX. 2:18 {In that} “en hôi.” Literally, “In which” “=en toutôi en hôi,” in that in which), a causal idea, though in Rom.14:22. “en hôi” means “wherein.” {Hath suffered} “peponthen.” Second perfect active indicative of “paschô,” permanent part of Christ’s experience. {Being tempted} “peirastheis.” First aorist passive participle of “peirazô.” The temptation to escape the shame of the Cross was early and repeatedly presented to Christ, by Satan in the wilderness (Mt 4:8-11.), by Peter in the spirit of Satan (Mt 16:22f..), in Gethsemane (Mt 26:39.), and caused intense suffering to Jesus (Luke.22:44; Heb.5:8.). {He is able} “dunatai.” This word strikes the heart of it all. Christ’s power to help is due not merely to his deity as God’s Son, but also to his humanity without which he could not sympathise with us (Heb.4:15.). {To succour} “boêthêsai.” First aorist active infinitive of the old compound verb “boêtheô” “boê,” a cry, “theô,” to run), to run at a cry or call for help (Mt.15:25.). {Them that are tempted} “tois peirazomenois.” Dative plural of the articular participle (present passive) of “peirazô.” These Jewish Christians were daily tempted to give up Christ, to apostatise from Christianity. Jesus understands himself “autos” their predicament and is able to help them to be faithful.” End of quote from A.T. Robertson. In Rom.8v3., Paul states Christ's victory over the flesh. The Expositor's Greek Testament also gives light on Rom.8v3. Alford writes on Rom.8v3. I have quoted from these leading Greek scholars to confirm the truth of what I say about Christ’s true humanity, and to verify that the original Greek Scriptures teach that Jesus was tempted in all points exactly like we are, but without ever giving away to temptation and sin. Jesus conquered the flesh that has corrupted and led all mankind into sin, in a body exactly like our own. Rom.8v3. Heb.2v17,18. His victory over sin, not only condemned sin in the flesh, but also enables us to live in victory over sin, through the law of the spirit and life in Christ. Rom.8v1-4. Jesus partook of human flesh, but did not partake of the sins of the flesh; His holy life condemned sin in the flesh and showed that it was possible to live in victory over it. In Heb.2v16-18., we read that Jesus took on Him the seed of Abraham, and that it was a moral duty and obligation (“opheilen,” the imperfect active indicative of “opheilo,” to be obligated), for Him to be made in all points like to His brethren, and experience the same temptations, so that He could be our sympathetic High Priest. To be tempted in all points as we are, He had to be made in all points as we are. Heb.2v17. with 4v15. From the level of our humanity, Jesus conquered the world, the flesh, and the Devil, and the dreadful bruising of His body, soul, and spirit, and won healing for our bodies, souls and spirits. Blessed be His Name! The Scriptures could not be clearer, or more emphatic, “by His bruise we are healed,” Is.53v5. |
The Disastrous Effects Of The Doctrine Of Original Sin | By His Stripes We Are Healed | The Book Of Revelation | The Second Coming Of Christ | The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit | The Comforter Is Come
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