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| Volume 23 Number 6 June 2021 |
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| Volume 23 Number 6 June 2021 |
Page 5 |
Mark McWhorter
The letter to the Hebrews was written to encourage the Christian Hebrews to remain faithful to Jesus. One of the main points is that Jesus is a better High Priest than high priests under the Old Law.
The writer told them in 2:18 that Jesus suffered with temptations just like we do. He lived on earth as a man and had the same temptations that we have. Because He understands our temptations, He is able to succor them who are tempted.
The word “able” comes from a Greek word for power. Jesus has the power to succor. The word “succor” comes from a Greek word that means “cry and to run, aid, relieve.” Jesus is ready and willing to run to us, to aid us and to relieve and aid us of the trials and temptations that Satan brings. He is willing and has the power to forgive us of our sins.
Jesus is a compassionate and loving High Priest. At the time Jesus lived, the high priest was not known for being loving and compassionate toward the people. The high priest and the Jewish leaders had come to think of themselves as above the people. They thought they were better than other Jews. However, Jesus never thought He was better than other men. He never shunned away from being among the people. He listened to their concerns, helped them with their troubles and showed deep interest in their problems. He continues to do the same today from Heaven.
I am glad that we have such a compassionate High Priest. I am thankful that He has the power to help us with our trials and temptations. He is willing to forgive us of our sins. Study your Bible. Learn all you can about our High Priest. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
The Only Approach to God
Justin Guin
Recently, one mantra that became quite popular was “I am living my own truth.” It contends each person lives by his or her own standards of truth for his or her life. One celebrity tried to use it to escape criminal charges by declaring she was not guilty because according to her truth she did what was right. This is one example that demonstrates the pluralistic nature of our culture – embracing multiple or alternate competing views simultaneously.
This principle is especially evident in religious matters. Many assert that God is Whoever or Whatever one desires Him to be. They assert that there is no objective instruction to guide people in their pursuit of faith. Of course, this is an issue because the Bible makes many claims to be the only objective truth that leads to faith and to a relationship with God (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Psalm 119:105). Consider one of the most well-known passages in John’s Gospel account. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6). This passage is exclusive and runs perpendicular to our world’s pluralistic worldview. Anyone approaching God must do so through Jesus Christ.
We must approach God through Jesus because He is the way to God. In Jesus’ approximately 33-year earthly life, He showed the world how God desires each of us to live. Thus, a disciple must live as Jesus did and submit to His commandments (1 Peter 2:25; 1 John 2:5-6). In addition, Jesus’ death and resurrection provided a new covenant that gave the entire world access to God without the Law of Moses (1 John 2:1). We can now behold God with “unveiled face” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
All must approach God through Jesus because He is the Truth. Jesus is the embodiment of Truth. John stated that Christ was full of “grace and truth” (John 1:14, 18). He made God known to us in human terms, and His Word must govern our lives (John 14:21).
Everyone must approach God through Jesus because He is the life. Jesus is the originator of life (John 1:4). Jesus’ life provided eternal life for all of humanity (John 3:16). He paid sin’s death penalty, and everyone now has the free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).
In matters of faith, we’re expected to follow God’s objective Truth. There is only one way to approach God the Father. It is through Jesus Christ.
[Editor’s Note: Indeed, the free gift of eternal salvation, as a result of Christ’s vicarious death on Calvary’s cross, is available to all of humanity. However, only those who obey Jesus Christ (Hebrews 5:9), that is, those who demonstrate an obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 16:26), satisfy the divine stipulations to receive that free gift. All who do not obey the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17) or who do not remain faithful (1 Peter 2:20-22; Revelation 2:10) will be lost. Many souls will perish (Matthew 7:13-14), but happily an innumerable and vast contingent of mankind will enjoy eternal life (Revelation 7:9-10). Jesus spelled out what constitutes initial obedience or how to become a child of God (Mark 16:16), and the apostle Peter preached the same message on the birthday of the Lord’s church (Acts 2:38). ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]