Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He holds the office of High Priest because he humbled himself to share humanity fully and was appointed by God rather than taking the honor for himself. Being touched with the feeling of infirmities means he knows human weakness, suffering, sorrow and temptation by lived experience and is moved with understanding sympathy. Being tempted in all points as we are means he was truly tried through every stage and kind of human trial in thought, word and deed, yet remained wholly free from sin, impurity, taint and transgression. He took real human nature in its fallen, weakened condition, with its liabilities and bodily weakness yet without its sin, so his temptations were real and severe and he could have yielded, but he never yielded in any way and Satan found nothing in him. As ascended glorified High Priest he pleads his spotless life and wounds for his people, so believers should hold fast and come boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and help, trusting he can succor the tempted and enable them to overcome as he overcame.
Wording and Immediate Context
He is called High Priest because after humbling himself and identifying fully with humanity through sharing its infirmities, sorrows, adversities and temptations in human weakness, he completed his earthly work and was appointed by God to ascend as man to heaven to serve as representative, advocate and intercessor, an office he did not take by glorifying himself. He alone is able to represent the fallen order to the Father and to receive and pardon transgressions, and therefore he must be taken as Priest and Advocate, and also as King whose will is known and done, remaining an unchanging faithful Guide, Teacher and Counselor who leads step by step by divine power.
To be touched with the feeling of infirmities means he understands, feels, sympathizes with and is moved by human weakness, suffering, sorrow and temptation from lived experience, having taken human nature and endured as humans do, including bodily temptation such as appetite, so that his sympathy, faith and love can reach and uplift the soul. As great High Priest he knows weakness with pity because he suffered when tempted, and his struggle in the wilderness proves heaven's powers are ready to help in every emergency, making it possible to seek mercy and timely help from God with confidence.
To be tempted in all points like as we are means he was truly tempted as a man in thought, word and deed through every stage from childhood to manhood and every kind and form of human trial, not only by Satan in the wilderness but all through life under most trying circumstances, including fiercest assault when weakest, attacks through ministry and agony on the cross, yet the verse adds yet without sin, meaning wholly free from sin, error, impurity, taint, transgression, imperfection and corruption, untainted though surrounded by it and unsullied yielding at no point. His obedience was not made easy by divinity, for he was tempted in proportion to his elevated mind without yielding or weakening divine power, and because the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in him he resisted every assault, pitied the weak, and gave man the perfect example of what humanity may become through privileges in him, bringing divine power to combine with human effort so believers may become partakers of the divine nature and of that fullness, having escaped corruption through lust, and only thus overcome as he overcame.
Temptation itself is not sin and does not prove God's displeasure; sin lies only in yielding, and no one can be injured, polluted, controlled or forced to sin without consent if integrity is maintained and connection with God brings his protection. His conflict was at times so terrible that he prayed all night with strong crying and tears while suffering being tempted, and he knows how to pity those in heaviness through manifold temptations and fiercest trials, so tempted souls are not to fail or be discouraged. The soul that resists through divine strength reveals to heaven and earth the strength and virtue of Christian principle, develops Christlikeness and the graces of the Spirit that make complete in him, proves stability and nobility of character by strength drawn from heaven to war successfully against the mighty foe, shows reliance on a power mightier than the strong man armed, is registered in heaven as uncontaminated by worldly pollutions, finds victory and greater strength, and may come confessing sins to receive pardon.
Its context teaches that profiting from what is heard requires the Word heard in living growing faith and mixed with faith, acted upon in humility of mind with sanctification of the Holy Spirit so preaching brings profit, and not acted upon carelessly, indifferently and independently of God. Entering his rest requires labor, a cleansed heart, giving self to the Lord for sanctification, seeking from Christ grace and clearness of understanding for service, learning what it means to labor for those for whom he gave his life, and openness to the searching living powerful Word that lays bare thoughts and intents before the eyes of him with whom all have to do.
Because he is the great High Priest who has passed into the heavens as the Son of God, believers should hold fast their profession and come boldly and resolutely with confidence to the throne of grace, which represents the kingdom of grace established through his death, to obtain mercy and find grace to help in every time of need. Living faith in him as personal Savior, entire dependence and center of hope makes followers pure, holy and undefiled and causes them to walk with God, and through the merits of the crucified and risen Savior they may gain victory, for his temptations were stronger than ours and because he knows every human trial he can succor those Satan tempts. That coming means bringing every request, anxiety, trial, temptation, sorrow and perplexity instead of forgetting God or giving way to impulse.
Knowing his position and mediatorial work is essential to exercising the faith needed at this time for those seeking holiness. Looking to him by faith as Intercessor before the mercy seat opens the soul to receive the truth as it is in him, and receiving that priestly help requires increased faith, for salvation is by God's power through faith as gift not of ourselves and not depending on human ability.
Human Nature He Assumed
Though one with God and equal with God in dignity, power and glory, infinitely higher than angels, he laid aside royal robe, kingly crown, throne, riches, princely character and majestic form, veiled the glory of his divinity and clothed divinity with humanity, transferring his home to this world occupied by fallen human beings to stand at the head of humanity as Saviour and Mediator. He took upon himself the form and nature of fallen man in common human stature rather than his majestic heavenly form, so that faith in him as Messiah would rest not on sight and personal attraction but on excellence of character and prophecy. His character and his relationship to God were unchanged though he took humanity with all its varied humiliations, and he pledged himself to endure every kind of temptation people must face, meeting the fallen host in conflict so he would know how to help those who are tempted.
He took human nature rather than angels' nature and became flesh as men are, with real body and mind, bone, brain, muscle, reason, conscience, memory, will and affections, not merely appearing human, living under human conditions of poverty, want, humiliation and inconvenience, breathing the same air and treading the same earth. His finite human nature was pure and spotless, perfectly identical with human nature except without the taint of sin, and his perfect humanity is the same humanity men may have through connection with him. He did this so he could know temptation by experience, reach people where they are and make humanity touch humanity without extinguishing it by glory, and through his humiliation and death he raises people in their fallen state to become heirs with him to his Father's kingdom.
He took humanity in its fallen, weakened, degraded condition after four thousand years of sin, with its infirmities, weaknesses, liabilities, bodily weakness, sicknesses and results of heredity shown in the history of his earthly ancestors, with strength not even equal to angels, at risk of failure and eternal loss. He faced temptation in the sinner's behalf, tested on every point where people can be assailed, enduring the temptations people face under a heavier burden so he could meet Adam's test and win the victory Adam failed to win. Yet he did not in the least share its sin, remaining spotless, untainted and free from sinfulness, the lamb without blemish and without spot, presenting perfect humility in human character and perfect obedience to all God's requirements.
Divinity and humanity were united in him without blending or confusion, each keeping its essential character and properties, the divine not humanized and the human not deified. His divine attributes did not relieve soul anguish or bodily pain, and his agony in prayer shows the reality of his suffering. He could have sinned and could have fallen, being a free agent placed on probation like Adam and like every man, for temptation is no temptation unless yielding is possible, else his trial and testing would have been a farce. Yet not for one moment was there in him an evil propensity, taint of or inclination to corruption, and how humanity blended with divinity and how he could be so tempted yet be without sin remains an unexplained mystery that must not be pressed by presumption beyond what is revealed.
He shared the full course of human life from manger babe in Bethlehem born of poor parentage through childhood, youth and manhood to the cross, experiencing hunger, thirst, weariness, need of food and sleep, poverty, toil, hardship, privation, pain, grief, tears and sorrow as a man of sorrows, apart from fear of sin's consequences in a condition like ours, bearing it without complaint or resentment. By becoming a humble child and living in poverty he entered human hardship so that no sinner could claim he did not know the temptations people face, and his sinless life from childhood through adulthood is an example for humanity. After completing his earthly work he ascended as a man to heaven and serves as humanity's representative, advocate and intercessor with the Father.
He lived among the poor, worked as a carpenter having learned his father's trade and doing careful exact work that reproved others, rested weary hungry and thirsty, slept in the open and in a boat, had nowhere to lay his head, and entered common family duties and human loneliness as stranger and sojourner on the earth, in the world but not of the world. He shared the lot of men in hunger and thirst and weariness, sustained by food and refreshed by sleep, tender, compassionate, sympathetic, ever considerate of others, though his divinity was clearly revealed in his teaching and ministry. His sinless human life revealed the heavenly Father to sinful human beings and represented the character of God in constant service for God and man, imparting his divinity to humanity as needed to resist the temptations of the enemy.
Even as a child he was tempted in every way like people are, tempted to sin as a child and as he grew older, yet without sin and he did not yield. He met temptation by singing psalms and praising God with music in his voice, by songs his mother taught him, which made an impression on the hearts and minds of those who heard him. That leaves the example that when the devil tempts, believers should sing and keep praising God, for God provides means for resisting the enemy.
Reality and Extent of Temptation
He was really tempted in every point as human beings are, from childhood through youth to manhood, not in the wilderness only but in daily life, through the years of public ministry, and on the cross. That lifelong trial met every form and kind of test Satan could devise, including humiliation, rejection, mockery, beating, abandonment, and agony. His early life in Nazareth continually exposed him to temptation and tested his character in many ways, developing the perfect character that makes him an example for children, youth, and adults. He came down to humanity's level in worldly circumstances and his temptations were as real as those people face, yet he did not yield or give in at any point.
His wilderness temptation came after a great spiritual blessing, alone without the comfort of friends after nearly six weeks of fasting with keen hunger and mental strain. There Satan adapted temptation to circumstance, pressing appetite, love of the world, and presumption, and urging miraculous rescue and display. He refused to leave the path of obedience or to presume on mercy to satisfy appetite or supply bodily want, and he gave Satan no word to exploit. His victory there over appetite and temptation was won for humanity and reaches even those brought low by gluttony or drunkenness, giving encouragement and an example to those struggling against appetite.
His temptations were stronger and more severe than human temptations in proportion to his superior excellence and higher, nobler nature. As humanity's representative and head he stood the closest test and proving of God, meeting the strongest force of Satan and his strongest, subtlest, and most cunning assaults. No one will ever pass through temptations as severe as his, and because he conquered as the infinite Conqueror, no one who relies on him is tempted beyond what he is able to bear. He suffered more than people can be called to suffer, not for his own sake but because of human sin.
As a free moral agent placed on probation like Adam and like every man, he could have sinned, yielded, and fallen. Temptation is no temptation unless yielding is possible, coming when a person is powerfully influenced to do wrong and, knowing he can do it, resists by faith with firm hold on divine power, and this was the ordeal he passed. That included the fierce temptation to think himself forsaken by God, with soul tortured by horror of great darkness lest he swerve from uprightness, and hanging on the cross he experienced to the fullest what man experiences striving against sin, bearing the iniquity of the whole world and enduring man's punishment and the wrath of God against transgression. Otherwise his trial would have been a farce and he could not be a perfect example.
Yet not for one moment was there in him an evil propensity, taint, inclination to corruption, or inherent propensity of disobedience as in fallen posterity. No thought or feeling responded to temptation in thought, feeling, word, spirit, or action, and he never stepped on Satan's ground, listened to Satan's reasoning, or gave occasion for advantage. Satan found nothing in him to claim or to gain advantage or ground for triumph by. His steadfast allegiance covered him as a garment and he held fast to God and his word under the most trying circumstances with unwavering faith by It is written. How humanity was blended with divinity and how he could be so tempted yet without sin remains an unexplained mystery not to be pressed by presumption beyond what is revealed.
His holy nature recoiling from evil made contact with enmity, depravity, and impurity profoundly painful. He suffered in proportion to the perfection of his holiness, pained continually to be in contact with what Satan had brought in while in the world but not of the world. His afflictions were even keener because his nature was higher and nobler. Resisting without stain gave moral power to withstand every temptation.
Satan came as an angel of light with fallen angels and human agencies to induce him if possible to commit sin and place the whole race under evil's dominion. Because of that condescension in linking himself to human weakness, Satan triumphed over him and taunted him, boasted of superior strength, light, and power, and dared him to open controversy with him and prove himself by miracle. Satan claimed that no one could withstand his devices and live a spotless life, the same boast repeated by spiritualists who claim superior light and power and greater miracles than Christ did.
His coming to face temptation was a great event not only to this world but to all worlds before the heavenly intelligences. Because he had taken human nature, Satan and his angels exulted and deemed victory certain, hoping he would become a victim to seductive wiles as the deceived human family had sinned. Satan besieged him with fierce temptations using every malignant device, and his steadfast resistance brought the whole confederacy of evil men and evil angels to war against him in united forces. His sinless victory proves God's grace gives victory and places man on vantage ground with God, with every provision made in man's behalf.
Though the enemy bruised and wounded his body, he could not turn his mind from loyalty to his Father. He was never surprised or overcome by devices, but stayed firm and faithful in loyalty, duty, and patience without retaliation, clinging to the Father through anguish. His conflict was long and earnest and he suffered anguish, but he did not yield in thought, word, or deed. He lived for years in a sinful world without contamination and ascended as pure as when he left the Father.
Sinless Victory as Second Adam
From manger to cross he never once swerved from allegiance to the Father, living without falsehood, dishonesty, jealousy, envy, iniquity or any stain of sin, meek and lowly, pure, holy and perfect in thought, word, feeling, spirit, deed and action. No thought or feeling in him answered Satan's enticements, Satan found nothing in him to claim, and he ascended as pure as when he left the Father, showing the union of humanity and divinity by which provision is made for people to share the divine nature, form a character like his and be fitted for heaven. He hated sin, and his purity reproved the proud and sensual around him so that they hated and crucified him. His conflict was long and earnest through childhood, wilderness, ministry and cross, facing the fiercest temptation when weakest, every attack of evil, humiliation, mockery and agony, and enduring all for humanity without yielding or separation from God.
He met all this as a true man in human nature, not as God, bearing temptation in that nature and overcoming through strength given by God. He used no power for himself that is not freely offered to humanity, for to withstand by divine power alone would have made him tempted as God rather than as man, and like human beings he depended on divine power in faith. He trusted the Father, refused to use power to spare himself, deliver himself from peril or supply bodily wants, giving priority to God's word, and because he obeyed in redeemed human nature he stands as example and leader showing obedience to God's law is possible and that people are to serve God as humans, not as angels, going forward at once in known duty and standing pardoned through his righteousness as though they had never sinned.
In sinless humanity he recoiled from evil yet endured struggle and anguish, and his humanity made prayer both necessary and a privilege. Through earnest pleading with strong crying and tears, often whole nights in solitude and wilderness, he drew energy, perseverance, steadfastness, comfort and joy from the great Source for duty, trial and conflict, and formed a divine-like character in human nature. As daily beset Burden-bearer he took the place of a suppliant, petitioning for fresh supply to be invigorated, refreshed, braced for duty and consoled in trial yet without sin, meeting human necessity with sympathetic love, tender compassion, gracious helpfulness and unwearying patience that drives away unrest and doubt. His example shows where his strength lay and that no one gains power for service without daily communion, but all may entrust trials, temptations, sorrows and disappointments to the loving Father, ask in faith for consecration to self-denial and self-sacrifice, cast helpless souls on the One ready to help, and boldly approach for mercy and timely grace instead of forgetting God and giving way to impulse.
When tempted he never answered with railing accusation but met every thrust with It is written, presenting the Word of the Lord as never-failing weapon even when weakened by fasting and under intense mental strain, giving Satan no word to exploit so the attacks found no place in him. His representatives must meet Satan the same way with the Word of the living God rather than following the serpent's trail by deceptive argument or false science, holding wholly to the Word through wilderness experience with certainty that reliance on it as defense cannot be overcome and that Satan must leave and angels minister as they did to him. By so overcoming he answered Adam's failure and showed people can keep God's commandments through heaven's divine power.
As second Adam he took humanity and passed over the very ground where Adam stumbled and fell, under a test a hundredfold stronger involving appetite, ambition, presumption and worldly attractions. In the wilderness he endured Satan's tests including hunger, thirst and infirmity of flesh, resisting where Adam failed, redeeming Adam's disgraceful failure and giving man a second trial, a fact belonging in temperance teaching. His sinless faithfulness made him able to stand as humanity's substitute and surety and provide a way for sinners to return to loyalty, and had he failed at any point Satan would have been victorious.
That sinless obedient life proved false Satan's boast that man cannot keep God's law, condemned sin in the flesh, magnified the law as honorable, changeless and the eternal word, and proved beyond controversy that human beings through God's power can live sinless lives in perfect obedience. It removes every excuse of poverty, ignorance or weakness, answers that fallen beings can be loyal, and shows what God can do for them and what they can do in cooperation with God, in his strength obeying as an example all can follow. His wilderness victory over appetite and every point is the foundation of the plan of salvation and gives fallen man the key to overcome in his name against the adversary of all, yet it benefits each person only as that person also individually gains the victory, ceasing from sin, relying on the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour and entering covenant relation with him. He endured mankind's hardships unto death, warred against Satan in behalf of men and women and gained everlasting victory for all who receive him, leaving unmistakable evidence they may pass triumphantly through every temptation and leaving a perfect sinless example to walk in, for those retaining hereditary tendencies to wrong cannot dwell with him; had he failed even once there could be no salvation.
He perfected that righteous character for fallen humanity, not for himself, and offers it to sinners. Through repentance, faith in him and obedience to God's law his righteousness is imputed and credited, his character stands in the believer's place, the person is counted righteous and accepted as if never sinned, the name recorded in the Lamb's book of life, and humanity clothed with his righteousness becomes children of God and members of the royal family. As substitute, surety and sin-bearer at the head of the human family he partook of nature so far as to feel human woes and suffer for human sins though no sin was in him, bearing every person's sin, guilt, curse, penalty and wrath in his body on the tree though undeserving, dying the just for the unjust to satisfy justice, vindicate the law, cleanse from every stain and uplift fallen man, with propitiation extending to the whole world and power to help repentant people who recognize sinfulness. His enduring temptation and gaining victory was not on his own account but for human good, to succor mortals suffering under weakness of flesh and beset with strong temptations and to redeem them from ruin, weakness and the devil, as Captain leading the way so human temptations and victories are in kind just what he endured and experienced.
Though he could have called heavenly hosts or used majesty to release himself, he submitted with perfect calmness to insult, outrage, abuse and suffering without retaliation or miracle for self, trusting the Father to provide and leaving a perfect example of faith and dependence. He refused to spare any part of his trial by divine power, showing bodily want and hunger not the greatest calamity and God's word and trust taking priority. One stain upon his human life, one transgression or failure to endure the terrible test, would have made the Lamb an imperfect offering and redemption a failure, but by unbroken obedience and complete dependence he overcame where Adam fell and proved false the assertion that God's law could not be kept. That exemplary victory won through suffering and death that conquerors might be made will come up before all on the day of judgment, leaving without excuse those who fail to follow in his steps, while God has furnished his people with power to stand in their own God-given manhood and be victorious in this world as the scene of conflict, baffling Satan on every point as a conquered foe.
Sympathetic Heavenly High Priesthood
His sympathetic priesthood as truly human High Priest belongs together with his death for sins, his resurrection, his ascension and his living work at God's right hand, and together these are the science of salvation to be learned and taught, displaying infinite wisdom, infinite love, infinite justice and infinite mercy with its center in the cross as the revelation of God's love joined to a living intercession able to save to the uttermost. Because he took human nature and bore the race's infirmities and weaknesses, faced every kind of temptation people face yet remained without sin, and stood the test in humanity's behalf overcoming where Adam failed, his suffering and likeness to his human brothers equip him both to feel for people in their infirmities and help those who are tempted and to make reconciliation for sin and bring salvation. His spotless victorious life and his wounded body plead with prevailing power for fallen people before the Father.
Though he ministers unseen in the heavenly sanctuary in ascended glorified humanity exalted to God's presence and sharing the throne of the universe, his ministry does not lessen his power or communion with his followers. By his Spirit he remains with the church, still compassionate as advocate and intercessor pleading before the Father for those on earth, especially those suffering, tried, tempted, or determined to be faithful. Because he knows human weakness from experience, having shared human nature and its difficulties, he is touched with compassion for those struggling under sin's burden, and his followers can therefore approach God's throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and timely help.
His intercession rests on the merits of his righteousness and the memorial of his humiliation and anguish, his wounded hands bearing that memorial and securing the best gifts of God's power for his church. He appears before God as great High Priest ready to receive repentance and answer prayer, presenting his blood-bought people to the Father, knowing each person and every need, placing his righteousness beside the suppliant, blending his prayer with human prayer and placing prayers in the golden censer of his merits so they are accepted. Having taken human nature and experienced the temptations that beset people, he became humanity's tender faithful advocate who can pity, plead with the Father for sinful and erring mortals, and help those who are tempted, giving the tempted comfort and hope. His human life included earnest necessary prayer through which he received strength for duty and trial and could give his followers assurance and hope.
He is the Elder Brother of the human race at the eternal throne, appointed Ruler and Judge of all men, who looks upon every soul turning to him as Saviour. He knows by his own experience what human weakness is, what people need, and where temptation is strongest, because he was tempted in every way as humans are but never sinned, and having passed over the ground human beings must pass over he knows the circumstances of every case and judges righteously and tenderly. As Son of man who shared infirmity and gave his life to ransom sinners, his judgments are just, his love is shown in giving his blood, and he will bar none from heaven unless necessary for heaven's safety. Unlike angels who never knew sin and could not share that understanding, he took human nature so he could understand trials and sympathize in particular struggles, and the weaker and more helpless people recognize themselves to be, the stronger they can become through his strength as he watches over, delivers the tempted, strengthens the weak, enlightens the ignorant and heals the wounded.
He is the whole and perfect antitype of the earthly high priest, pure and undefiled without taint of sin, whose perfect character was represented by the beautiful official priestly garments made after the pattern shown in the mount, consecrated for most solemn purpose, required to be whole and without blemish, clothed with glory and beauty and fitted for holy official work as representative character for the nation showing the glory Israel as God's chosen people should reveal. He did not glorify himself to be made High Priest but God gave him appointment to the priesthood to be example to all the human family, qualifying himself to be not only representative of the race but their Advocate touched with the feeling of human infirmities, so every soul may say, I have a friend at court. Unlike the false corrupted Caiaphas, who by rending his robe showed human passion and human imperfection and severed himself from God so he was virtually no longer accepted as officiating priest, Jesus remains the whole and perfect representative.
His future compassionate work involving understanding of human weakness was taught to disciples during forty days on earth after resurrection, and his priestly mediation is now available so people may come boldly to the throne of grace trusting God hears and answers prayer and sincere seekers may receive the Holy Spirit's presence as they seek to do God's work. But there is coming a time of trouble when his people must live in the sight of the Lord without a High Priest in the sanctuary, and those receiving the seal of the living God and protected then must reflect the image of Jesus fully and seek to become perfect in Christ. He was fully sympathetic yet Satan could find in him no cherished sinful desire or disobedience to exploit, and his sinless obedience makes him the great High Priest who makes atonement.
With human arm embracing humanity and divine arm reaching God's throne he unites earth with heaven and finite with infinite, providing the devised plan by which God is reconciled to man and man to God. Standing as great High Priest and sole mediator between fallen man and God after the fearful separation caused by sin, he invites people to come to the Father through him, pleads in their behalf and gives access to God, so that if a person sins the case is not hopeless, and through the merits of his blood fallen men may be exalted to be partakers of the divine nature. Because his divinity touched humanity in every point except sin and his sinless life answered whether people can keep God's law, and because tempted and knowing sorrow and grief he learned how to help all who are tempted, he as judge knows the circumstances surrounding each soul and is compassionate toward those who fear God and distrust themselves.
Having suffered when tempted and been made like those he came to help, as merciful and faithful High Priest he has compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way and is always ready to help people in difficulties and perplexities. Because the Majesty of heaven shared human temptation he knows how to succor those beset by powers of darkness, shares in human affliction, grief and sorrow and bears them when entrusted to him by faith, his interests being joined to suffering people so that wounding one of his children grieves him in that person. Tried and tempted ones are therefore to hold fast their profession, trust in Christ so none can sever them, draw nigh to God with assurance he will draw nigh, come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in need, remembering they live in his presence and that a word spoken to unbalance another member of his family hurts Christ himself.
He knows and sympathizes with grief and distress because tempted in every way yet without sin, and his sympathy and care extend to each person individually by name like a shepherd who knows and tends every sheep, caring for each person and every need and now serving in heaven as Advocate interceding for them. He knows his flock more intimately than Jacob knew the weak, suffering and lame among his sheep, knowing every soul and its temptations and trials and all circumstances that irritate and chafe the spirit, having himself weighed every burden and knowing its weight as no one else does because he bore all griefs and carried all sorrows and became a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. As true shepherd he knows and pities and helps most the sheep most needing help, the bruised and lame and feeble, giving patience to those who ask instead of leaving them self-sufficient, standing by when a burden is placed to lift the heaviest weight, assuring grace sufficient, giving help today and strength proportioned to each day, never leaving or forsaking those alone in conflict, noticing when little ones are harmed, and pleading for each tempted soul condemned by others. His sympathy is given to restore the moral image of God in those cooperating with him while working out salvation as God works in them, so the tempted can entrust themselves to God rather than grieve as though they must save themselves.
He bore human infirmities, and his sacrifice and death make immortal life possible for humanity. He will forever bear the marks of his earthly humiliation and of having been slain, even as the redeemed and angels honor and worship him, and appreciating his sacrifice brings people into harmony with heaven.
Help and Salvation for Tempted
He knows by painful experience what a wounded, bleeding spirit and a broken heart are like, and what a burdened, perplexed, tempted mind endures, understanding the full strength of besetting temptation, sorrow and grief. He had to learn by experience what people suffer in order to be Redeemer, learning obedience by suffering and being made perfect through it, so He knows the heart and the circumstances of every temptation. Troubled sinners can therefore trust Him for mercy and compassion, bring every peculiar trial and sorrow to Him, and be saved completely when they come for refuge, for He is too wise to err and too good to do harm. Unlike human friends who answer with coldness and listless inattention because they lack identity of circumstances, He has that identity with suffering humanity.
Because He understands temptation He can succor those who are tempted when they reach to Him in faith, giving the very grace, strength, mercy and compassion required each day in time of need. He does not abandon those deceived into sin but intercedes for them as sympathetic High Priest and Advocate, whose atoning sacrifice grounds pardon, justification and sanctification, and they are to trust Him rather than struggle in their own strength through humble prayer and faith in the promises. He understands every device prepared for the unwary from conflict with the arch-deceiver, having passed over Adam's ground and redeemed that failure, and He promises no temptation beyond what can be borne but a way of escape with endurance. The burdened soul may lay its load on Him, the hand of faith may lay hold on pardon and imputed purity, and even those harassed by trials through satanic devices find Him refuge and source of strength, lifting the heaviest weight and delivering those who feel forsaken.
He delivers the tempted, strengthens the weak, enlightens the ignorant and heals the wounded, watching over those who turn to Him as Elder Brother and Savior. The weaker and more helpless they know themselves to be, the stronger they may become through His strength, including help for those suffering reproach and opposition for His sake as they follow His steps. Through faith humanity can lay hold on divinity as He did, become partakers of the divine nature, escape corruption through lust, receive overcoming strength, grow strong under difficulties and live sanctified and joyful, overcoming as He overcame. He came in human form without outward display to show this unity is possible, conquering on humanity's behalf so resisters join weakness to His might and keep the triumph of truth before them.
His victory enables help to the tempted, so that through His imparted merits and divine nature and by looking to Him and keeping Him in view, people learn to recognize Satan's deceptions, resist so the enemy cannot force sin or defile without consent, escape corruption, and overcome more and more every day. All power is provided in Him for those whose word abides in Him, and He commands heaven's universe to help the unselfish worker, so soul-winners are to be faithful, courageous and true to their Captain. Having become human as merciful and faithful High Priest He gives assurance as personal Savior and sin-bearer, so believers are not left alone to bear sin's curse, and though in heaven He shares their afflictions and intercedes for them. However unworthy one feels, He gave His life to save to the uttermost, taking defects of character and weakness to purify, refine, elevate, ennoble, complete and place with the saints in His kingdom.
He tenderly invites sufferers to bring every trial, care, pain, perplexity, grief and burden to Him in prayer, leave them in His care and trust Him rather than struggle alone or complain, receiving consolation, rest, shelter, protection and strength as sole dependence and never-failing Friend and Counselor. He is near in every emergency, a refuge for counsel, comfort and hope in every anxiety where each grief matters, and children and youth may be directed to Him for sympathy and guidance. Sinners need not stay away in shame or fear but may come at once without despair or hopeless mourning, since He passed over Adam's ground and redeemed that failure. Returning lawbreakers who keep the commandments and serve with sincere heart meet blessing, peace, rest and freely given love with His purity imputed, learning from Him who is meek and lowly.
Both repentance and forgiveness are God's gift through Him by the Holy Spirit convicting of sin and making the heart feel need of pardon, and only the contrite are forgiven because grace makes the heart penitent. As sympathizing Savior, merciful High Priest, great Physician and Medical Missionary He deeply feels weakness and is able to heal body and soul, so sufferers impressed with this gain rest of mind essential to recovery by fixing faith on Him, keeping promises before the mind and entrusting themselves to His care. Faith and hope fixed upon Him change beholders into His likeness, His compassion and love continually presented especially to the sick, pardoning sin and healing all who accept by faith, while rejecting Him loses everything and coming requires straight paths, self-denial and cross-bearing.
He understands particular struggles, including the effort to give up tobacco without discouragement, James White's infirmities in affliction with love, pity, strengthening and support, and sickness and unanswered prayer for healing when sufferers feel alone. He understands and accepts the soul assaulted unexpectedly when Satan injects the horrifying thought that He was only a man; such suggestions are wholly from Satan, not the person's thoughts or heart sentiments, not blasphemy or denial, though bringing agony. The tempted must let courage rise with the temptation, commit body and soul to Jesus, hate vain thoughts, refuse to admit they originated within, and refuse unbelief and discouragement. He is the great High Priest who understands weakness because tempted in all points yet without sin, a Helper who never fails or disappoints callers and the model for standing by fellow workers with timely, specific sympathy where needed instead of criticism, giving reason for deep earnest trust as a never-failing source of strength.
Example for Obedient Living
His earthly life shows what humanity may become through the privileges and opportunities given in him when the teachings of his word are followed. Though divine, he was tempted as human beings are, in every way and in proportion to his elevated mind, yet he kept integrity, never turned from allegiance, never yielded or weakened, and no sin stained his life. He is the example and pattern in all things whom every true Christian must follow, and God sent him to show what people may become through divine grace. His perfect sinless life, with no falsehood from his lips and never a dishonest act in unsullied purity and goodness, reveals the character to which man may attain and which man must possess to enter the holy city. Beholding him changes character and makes holy the path he walked, and those who grow steadily closer to him become more like him so that good words and actions exert an influence lasting for eternity and display the character God expects. Because he met every kind of human temptation without failing or becoming discouraged, keeping the triumph of truth before him, humanity through faith can lay hold on divinity, escape corruption through lust, claim the promises, draw on divine strength, overcome, grow strong under difficulties, and live a sanctified joyful life sustained by the Author and Finisher of faith.
His willing obedience proves that keeping God's law is possible for redeemed humanity, while breaking it brings bondage. He took human nature with its infirmities, liabilities, trials, sorrow and grief, met temptation as a true man and not as God, and overcame through strength given by God, using no power not freely offered to humanity. His sinless life answers whether people can keep the law, showing through faith in God's help they can obey and overcome as he did, serving God in redeemed human nature as human beings and not as angels and not as if not human. Through his righteousness they stand pardoned before God as though they had never sinned when they go forward at once in known duty, showing love to God through obedience in faith. Because he suffered when tempted he knows how to help the tempted, challenging Satan's claim and calling people to stand with God in love, kindness and loyalty.
As both high priest and master teacher he fully understands the soul and is moved by weakness, and his sympathy, faith and love reach and uplift. He leads the way in obedience, so followers are to trust him, obey God's commands, deny self, bear the cross, persevere through temptation, and overcome rather than wait for easier circumstances. They do not serve as if they were angels, but stand pardoned through his righteousness while choosing God's favor over worldly pleasures. He experienced hunger and every provocation that stirs feeling and speech, yet did not sin, and his example teaches that resisting provocation and holding back words from natural impulse is victory. Those facing Satan's effort to stir passions and draw out harmful words should look to him, meet the tempter with It is written, speak only fitting words, and keep silent when stirred instead of answering a provoking question, so as not to lose standing with God and be overcome on the enemy's ground.
His uncorrupted heart and holiness were more precious to him than worldly beauty, wealth, power or earthly splendor, and resisting temptation means choosing the holy over anything that draws heart and mind from God. Studying his conduct in meekness, self-control and firmness on the right forms Christlike character and prepares for victory. Because he overcame without his human nature yielding at any point to Satan's suggestions, every son and daughter of Adam may overcome by obeying his voice. His triumph without sin shows believers can rely on God's strength and grow in faith and character as they resist and endure, persevering in the struggle and seeking victory over self. Walking in obedience does not escape trials because the enemy hinders gaining heaven, yet help is promised, God will not allow temptation beyond what can be borne but will make a way to bear it, and his sharing of trial — being in the world he made without being known and coming to his own without being received — enables receivers to become sons of God.
His complete obedience in hunger, thirst and every temptation provides the example to follow so that in his strength people too may obey. His life was not one of ease and freedom from severe conflict though angels ministered to him, for he met temptation at every point as human beings do and gained victory after victory on humanity's behalf. Those victories are to be studied and followed by believers seeking the overcomer's crown of everlasting life, where even yielding a small point gives advantage to the enemy and causes great loss. Ministers doing their appointed work who face trials, perplexities and temptations have one who endured all these before them, even laboring earnestly for his own nation yet despised and put to death by those he came to save and give life, so they should not become discouraged or cast away confidence when labors do not bring desired results. True workers do not despond before arduous work, for shrinking and complaining under tribulation makes servants weak and inefficient, and those in responsibility depend wholly on his merits and grace and draw near directly to him for wisdom and power rather than depending on men.
His tender faithful priesthood shares the feeling of weakness, weeps with those who weep, is afflicted in afflictions, takes the cases of tempted ones as his own, and calls all in trust to the daily subduing influence of the Spirit, to nourish the weak with supplied manna, and to educate them not to look to men and trust in men. He laid aside crown and robe, clothed divinity with humanity so humanity could touch humanity, became partaker in all besetting temptations and carried through them in sight of disciples to show by conduct how to meet them, leaving a perfect pattern. Every soul striving for the higher school must learn these lessons from Christ in divinity clothed with humanity, and by looking to him may partake with him and of the divine nature having escaped corruption through lust. Parents and children walking over the same ground of temptation must take this to heart, pray, work intelligently in his name, walk carefully in the self-denying Saviour's footsteps, and gain humility and spirituality now to stand in the coming test and be fitted for the kingdom. Ministers must study his pitiful courteous tender entering into others' feelings, rejoicing with those who rejoice, dwell on his perfection to represent him, remember own failures, show forbearance without harshness, build up rather than tear down in union, love and harmonious cooperation with Christlike moral force.
He brought desires and wishes into strict abeyance to his mission bearing heaven's insignia, making everything subordinate to the work he came to accomplish. He left home, security, peace, glory with the Father, and throne of the universe, and went forth as a suffering tempted man in solitude to sow in tears and water with blood the seed of life for a lost world. The same devotion, consecration and subjection to the word manifest in him must be seen in his servants, whose humility is taught by his standing at humanity's head so humanity might partake of divinity. His true missionaries, untainted though descended to lowest humiliation to uplift the fallen and unturned by reproach or hardship, are willing to work in the hardest places if they can reach souls. His life of constant trial as Satan sought to overcome him yet was resisted is the example for overcoming selfish impulsive passionate tempers. Each person faces particular temptation at the weakest point, and that weakness must be strengthened into righteousness by obeying him and imitating what he would do in purity, truth and righteousness.
His life is the pattern for living in the world, calling not for mere profession but for faith shown by works, resisting inclination and choosing God's will and way. He met every kind of temptation yet remained sinless and knows how to rescue the tempted, giving his life for eternal life, and when his truth is hidden in the heart and becomes part of life it produces watchfulness avoiding anything out of harmony with his will.
Comfort and Compassionate Ministry
Unlike human friends who answer with coldness and listless inattention because they have not been tried in the same way and cannot make another's case their own, he has identity with suffering humanity from painful experience of wounded spirit, broken heart and perplexed mind, so all peculiar trials should always be told directly to him as the only sure help trained in suffering rather than only to men.
His compassion is the model and call to treat tempted, suffering, fallen and spiritually afflicted souls with tenderness to help them recover rather than condemn or drive them away, dealing with others exactly as they wish the Lord to deal with them and bearing patiently with the erring, rebellious and apostate with special care for the most easily tempted.
He did not remain away in heaven from the sorrowing and sinful but came down to become acquainted by experience with weakness, suffering and temptation, entering human feelings, conflicts, joys and victories to reach people where they are and lift them up, which patterns patient work especially for youth rather than harshness, indifference or exacting traits.
Having shared experience in all things except sin he guides with patience adjusting the path to strength and capacity, marching softly and evenly with children as perpetual guide without despising, neglecting, hastening past or leaving them behind, so parents in his name lead children along the narrow way according to strength.
He understands childhood and youth by experience, sympathizes with the young, pities weakness, marks every sincere effort, hears contrite prayer and helps in need, giving grace at every step to resist selfishness and pride and to overcome hurt by words, so youth need not despair over disappointment or failure.
He shared hunger, thirst, weariness and temptation yet remained blameless, meeting necessity with sympathetic love without harshness, unwearying patience and gentle grace that drives away unrest and doubt and proves a person receiving power from on high can live unsullied with purity and nobility.
He endured physical weariness, reproach, misunderstanding, persecution, rejection and insult yet answered with compassion, healing, comforting and helping, showing sufferers they are not alone and can endure without discouragement, with the faithful at his second coming recognizing his voice as the compassionate Savior who called the burdened to rest.
He comforts those in distress and invites them to come for rest, so Christians can endure sickness and hardship through communion with him and hope of resurrection when pain, sorrow and death end, clinging to him as best friend who never leaves trusting ones and gives grace to endure so faith fails not.
Afflictions and trials are permitted to help people share his holiness and joy, carrying out loving purpose through discipline that purifies as gold and refines like fire and fits for heaven, so everything great and small is to be committed to him with calm trust instead of anxious worry, and severe temptation does not mean abandonment by God.
His path of suffering patterns bearing trials without complaint with hope of sharing his glory, and such experiences can form character for everlasting life rather than cause failure or discouragement, quieting complaints and bringing gratitude with restraining care as mercy like a shepherd's crook.
He feels sympathy for even degraded humanity enfeebled by demoralizing habits and understands their besetting strength, and making this known opens a new career lifting them through faith to high service, responsibility and full salvation for all coming for refuge.
His being touched with infirmities is illustrated by the Samaritan's pity for the wounded man who helped even a Jew as neighbor and brother, teaching those claiming to be God's children to relieve physical distress and put faith to work through love with practical care.
His sympathy and truth wisely used in medical missionary and sanitarium work become a powerful influence for healing soul as well as body, requiring helpers and nurses to serve delicately, reverentially and cheerfully, while the Chief Physician in heaven works through earthly representatives who should share responsibilities, broaden experience and speak mercy, and the trembling soul looking to the physician as only hope should be pointed to him as greater hope.
Sympathy with weakness means coming close to brethren in families, seeking them and reaching hearts with love aglow with his love, ministering in homes with admonition and Scripture and giving labor for souls, creating mutual love and moral force as laborers together with God.
He left heaven to show by his own life how to resist through denial of appetite and passion, and a true sense of that sacrifice leads to cheerful self-denial, overcoming narcotics and stimulants by divine power and regaining through temperance what was lost through Adam's fall, his wilderness victory over hunger giving example and way.
Living faith in him as personal center of hope with entire dependence makes followers pure, holy and undefiled and causes them to walk with God with boldness to the throne of grace, while coldness and lack of sympathy show his Spirit is not abiding, and learning in his school means becoming pitiful, courteous and forgiving.
He cares for each one as though there were not another, joining human tenderness with divinity as unchangeable Guide, Teacher, Counselor, Friend and Donor who encourages step by step, bestows blessings in response to faith and invites abiding that causes friction and irritation to cease, knowing what each can bear and giving grace to endure.
There is no step he has not trodden, no distress he does not feel and no sorrow he has not sympathized with, leading those who draw near in lowly dependence along humiliation into close communion so that suffering with him is fellowship and God lays only the light end of the cross on the shoulder.
His tender sympathy is not lost in Godhead nor humanity lost in divinity, and as surety and substitute his heaven-born love extended even to those who did not know him, as when he healed the man born blind and received his worship.
As divine-human Sin-bearer his complete sacrifice reveals sin as tremendous evil, secures complete restoration, qualifies him as atoning Substitute who can save fully, and shows divine power enables repentant believers to share the divine nature, his perfect obedience standing as standard.
His self-denying lowly life condemns grand display in buildings, dress and work and requires economy and careful study to work according to his plan, with his lowly undisplayed life patterning city work by earnest personal labor instead of needless display.
As great High Priest with divinity clothed with humanity and made perfect through suffering he does not abandon followers but answers prayers for deliverance, sends angels to minister and shares sorrow, with his lowly course rebuking striving for high position.
He took infirmity, affliction, pain and grief in a way those who never knew sickness cannot fully understand, and as great Medical Missionary he stands to reconcile justice and compassion and understand the sick.
His sinless victory is a perfect pattern making it possible to overcome as he overcame, keep the law through divine power joined to human effort, take hold of divinity, escape corruption, be clothed with his robe and carry out redemption without discouragement, with heaven rejoicing over every victory.
He took humanity subject to physical weakness, his divine personality existing before incarnation, and as Son made flesh he is God's gift and the propitiation for the whole world.
His sinless life under full temptation undoes Adam's failure and proves to fallen and unfallen beings that commandments can be kept through heaven's power with assurance no temptation will exceed what can be borne.
He is presented as compassionate Physician who pardons and heals body and soul for all accepting by faith, so hope is fixed on him while followers practice self-denial and cross-bearing, and to reject him is to lose everything.
He took the sinner's place and his overcoming assures the tempted he will provide endurance and escape, placing humanity on vantage ground with God and remaining in sympathy, his union of humanity and divinity working out salvation abundantly including for the poor.
He loves righteousness and hates evil, with righteousness being the satisfaction he gave the law by bearing testing where sinners must bear it without yielding, calling God's children to develop his likeness by daily living and sound doctrine so the weak are helped.
He came as man because in glory all would have been extinguished since none can see God's face and live, with human arm reaching every soul and divine arm grasping the throne so all may overcome, teaching family happiness and language fitted for eternal life.
In humanity he relied on divine power from infancy to manhood as a perfect pattern of what people may become through union with the divine nature, with victory through prayer making prayer necessary and a privilege sought where he sought it.
He shared weakness yet was unsullied by corruption and had no passions of fallen nature, identifying with needs with agony calling for the Father's help, and his earnest prayer shows he understands infirmities.
He came as a child with a child's education concealing divinity, and his sinless life is an example to follow because he wants people to become Christlike.
He became human to bear afflictions and be tempted so he understands suffering, his death makes sharing the divine nature possible, and all judgment is placed in his hands.
He took weakness and was tempted as fallen people are, making him acquainted with temptation and able to help the severely tempted, and as substitute his sinless life enabled him to bear the fallen world's sin.
He passed through temptation point by point on behalf of man and knows Satan's strength, and as conqueror he is the Pattern who lifts a standard for all who sincerely call, break partnership with evil and resist the devil, receiving the humble repentant to mold character for glory so each may overcome hasty words, temper and unkindness and be sure of the kingdom, for temptation itself is not sin.
He became human veiling glory to experience afflictions and know how to help, enduring without sin as an example for the discouraged so they need not despair because he has gone before them.
He experienced temptation including hunger yet did not sin, knows how to help from experience, and teaches that resisting provocation and holding back impulsive words is victory.
He became one with humanity under temptation yet without sin, his sinlessness not distancing him since humanity is the object of deep love, and by taking humanity he made it possible for humanity to be clothed with his righteousness.
As great High Priest he feels compassion and works to bind up those wounded by the enemy, never abandoning a tempted soul, giving comfort, sustaining grace and help to those coming in faith as never-failing friend and counselor.
It was not easy for him to obey, in stress taking hold of divinity to bring divine nature for fallen humans to unite with by faith, bearing sins so all might escape corruption, with his obedient life the heaven-sent pattern essential for entering the city requiring copying his obedience and cleansing every defilement.
The verse means he left heaven for a curse-marred world to stand as tempted yet sinless man of sorrows, fought and conquered darkness for humanity so heaven is reached only through him never by human effort, and now risen lives as Savior and Intercessor pleading merits so tempted people may be delivered and be more than conquerors.
The verse shows God marks every tear and cares for each trouble, and he is touched by weakness and suffering including physical weakness clouding the mind, keeping his hand extended, fully acquainted with Satan's devices and helping children bear trials as reason to leave perplexities with him.
He sympathizes with those Satan seeks to destroy, becoming like those he came to help to serve as merciful High Priest with compassion from experiencing infirmity, always ready to help in difficulties.
His battles were fought on our behalf with victories enabling followers to conquer as he gives strength to seekers, so Satan may distress but cannot force sin or defile without consent.
As High Priest touched with infirmities he meets returning sinners and can be approached for healing, pardon and peace with no person beyond saving power.
He experienced human life and severe trials as a living example of truths he taught, enduring temptation yet without sin and continuing deep care for humanity's return to harmony with God.
He experienced Satan's temptations and human suffering firsthand, and his victory over appetite despite severe hunger qualified him to reach people in deepest suffering.
His humiliation, temptation and death as the just for the unjust are of no avail unless the Holy Spirit is given as constant working regenerating agent to make what he wrought effectual, abiding with wrestlers to endow supernatural strength and instruct in kingdom mysteries.
He alone could engage Satan in battle and successfully endure the temptations brought against the human family.
He laid aside display of angel armies and came in human garb to suffer all temptations to reveal victorious overcoming is possible by oneness with him as he is one with the Father, giving power to become sons of God to all receiving him.
He endured severe temptation as man yet without sin, though having power to escape patiently bearing insult without retaliation or miracle for self, with complete faithfulness keeping him a perfect offering.
He took humanity to be one with humanity and reveal the Father, sharing men's lot as stranger in the world but not of it, tempted as men and women today are yet blameless, tender and considerate, sharing pain and weakness, weeping with those who wept and weighing every burden as no one else does, feeling fever and torment and inviting every burden to prayer.
He shared human nature without stain and was tempted yet sinless, his obedience demonstrating the law as righteousness' standard keepable through his power, bearing sins and giving righteousness as substitute while the law exposes sin but cannot pardon.
He shared human weakness and need without sharing sin, becoming a brother in infirmities who knew need for strength yet recoiled from evil and was not a companion in sin, revealing divine nature in contrast with sinful nature so people of every nation may live obediently through faith, his example showing need of continual prayer.
He was made like his brothers and willingly faced the enemy's assaults before public ministry, entering the contest under the foe's required circumstances, and because he suffered when tempted he can help the tempted.
He took human place, learned to bear sufferings, and after ascending continues to bear infirmities feeling them more keenly than humans do.
He endured Satan's temptations in human behalf and overcame through steadfast dependence on his Father, assuring believers they are not left without a Helper.
He knows the temptations people meet and stands as example when experiencing injustice or favoritism, having also endured temptation and unfair treatment.
He is the Author and Finisher of faith, able, willing and longing to save all coming to God by him, whose voice in test speaks peace calling sufferers to be strong in his strength so those trusting him will never be confounded, with trial as purifying mercy like refining fire, made perfect through suffering to give grace for every trial.
He is beheld with spiritual vision by faith in prayer, piercing the dark shadow Satan throws across the pathway to fix minds on discouraging things and block views of eternal realities.
His human life was spent laboring for those he would redeem at infinite cost, and because purchased by his blood he adopts them as children and tenderly cares for temporal and spiritual needs entrusted to the church.
He experienced Satan's temptations though divine so he is the Mighty Helper in battles, in human nature meeting and conquering every temptation confronting the young, and as Elder Brother he joins prayers with his righteousness' incense presenting them to God with Calvary pledging victory.
People in every role especially responsibility are subject to temptation and depend wholly on his merits, since even sacred work does not make them sinless or able to be saved apart from grace.
Touched with weakness he is full of compassion never turning away the truly penitent however great guilt while sternly denouncing hypocrisy, knowing sins and secret motives yet putting himself on their level to plead for cleansing.
Hanging on the cross he experienced to the fullest what man striving against sin experiences, including fierce temptation to think forsaken with soul tortured by darkness, realizing how bad man may become, because the world's iniquity was upon him as he bore all sins and endured punishment and wrath.
He successfully withstood every temptation from childhood to manhood, demonstrating by that sinless life that man need not perish in sin.
He lived without stain hating sin, and his purity reproved those around him.
In assumed humanity he faced the full test, having to resist inclination to use power to deliver himself when in danger, with Satan pressing weak points of the human heart to exploit taken weakness, enduring these on humanity's behalf.
Through perfect obedience he procured redemption for all who obey, while those receiving him as Savior are given power to become God's children and share the divine nature.
He treats the cases of the tempted as his own and ministers as tender High Priest, calling those trusting him to care compassionately for weak believers and nourish them with what he provides.
As faithful tender High Priest understanding every weakness because himself tempted yet without sin, he is ready to plead as Advocate, and people can come in humble trusting faith for comfort.
He took humanity and identified with sufferings to show people have nothing to endure he has not endured, facing the enemy before ministry to show they may overcome because heaven is ready to help.
Those drawing near in earnest prayer see redemption's cost, hate sins wounding him and come in contrition, and knowing each person gives comfort and hope to bring every emergency trusting he will help carry them, for he is near.
He came to live human life so humanity through faith can lay hold on divinity and live a sanctified joyful life, growing strong under difficulties.
He faced Satan's fiercest subtle temptations and resisted every one, fighting battles whose victories make it possible to conquer sin and giving strength to seekers.
He faced temptation in every way yet remained untouched by evil, fully surrendered to God's will and living by faith, and his victory shows believers united to him can also overcome and take hold of divinity.
He endured physical weariness and temptation yet his sinless life shows through his strength people can live with purity and nobility and receive power to conquer self after he defeated the enemy on every point.
He took humanity upon himself and faced temptation without sin or taint, coming as both divine and human to break Satan's power, with people reaching through his humanity for divine power and his Spirit giving power to resist deceptions and escape corruption.
He endured mankind's hardships knowing temptation's power by experience and victorious over darkness on humanity's behalf.
He laid aside robe and crown to stand at humanity's head as Savior enduring all besetting temptations and coming forth with character unmarred, never swerving from allegiance as a pattern.
From earliest years he faced unrelenting fierce struggle with Satan trying every means to ensnare him, and severe trials in Nazareth developed perfect character making him an example for children, youth and adults.
He is pitiful, courteous and tender, entering into others' feelings, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice, dealing patiently with the erring, and his tenderness models perfect character and true courtesy.
He is the sympathetic pattern tender to needs as man of sorrows from manger to cross, and fitness as his worker is measured by loving and working as he did with sanctified Spirit-controlled wholeness so his holiness convicts souls.
As Son of God greater than any earthly physician he pities sufferers, gave his life to save from death and gives skill by divine power to all asking, so the trembling soul looking to the physician as only hope should be pointed to him as greater hope.
As perfect unfallen man he remained sinless and overcame, and his victories make it possible for receivers to overcome as he did, each victory securing genuine fruits for them.
In human flesh he successfully resisted every temptation suffering all flesh can suffer even unto death, warring against Satan and gaining everlasting victory for receivers, giving evidence they may overcome by ceasing from sin, relying on crucified and risen merits and entering covenant to receive power, leaving a perfect example since hereditary tendencies retained cannot dwell with him.
He lived as divine missionary suffering as humans suffer, often hungry thirsty weary yet unquenched in love to seek the lost, and because he knows want, loneliness and bereavement he takes representatives' needs, walks everywhere with them and comforts those enduring deprivation in foreign fields.
He took humanity and experienced every temptation including those of the poor, and his union of humanity and divinity worked out salvation abundantly, placed humanity on vantage ground and kept him in sympathy.
He is a compassionate tender High Priest who loves those facing temptation and discouragement, who should look to him rather than self, refuse Satan and persevere, with assurance of speaking to him because afflicted he knows how to help.
He is deeply moved by suffering and never hears the afflicted with indifference, giving confidence to bring the sick to God in prayer.
He took human nature subject to temptation where humanity must contend, overcame every temptation Satan brought, and through his grace people may overcome as he did and become one with him.
The verse teaches he is a compassionate sin-pardoning Savior whose understanding supports forgiveness, cleansing and hope for the straying, whom people can trust to take away sin and enable ceasing from sin by faith clinging to promises and cross.
As Son manifest in flesh he faced every temptation yet without sin, overcame by prayers, perfected a divine-like character in human nature and secured redemption by perfect obedience for the obedient, enabling receivers to share divine nature and escape corruption.
He experienced temptation yet was never overcome, demonstrating people can fulfill all righteousness with victory won for them.
He came into the world tempted as people are as the Savior to cling to, with God's promises assuring he will not leave people comfortless.
He entered human life from infancy and faced Satan's deceptions through its stages including commercialism's deceptive influence to save the deceived, and knowledge of Satan's plans enables him to help people recognize and escape ruin.
He stood as humanity experiencing hunger, poverty, want and temptation, so he knows need and can succor, with wilderness hunger preparing him to understand sufferers so they can entrust themselves to his care.
His example calls believers to share the divine nature, which he exemplified by taking the humblest position and enduring temptation as strongly as any member to show what humanity may become through his ministry.
He is compassionate toward weakness because knowing temptation yet without sin, loving, pitying, strengthening and supporting in affliction.
He took human nature with fallen degeneracy yet did not share its sin, and as holy substitute he saves to the uttermost so repentant believers escaping corruption become partakers of divine nature and are made righteousness in him.
He took humanity as second Adam meeting every temptation and enduring keen hunger yet living without spot in union of flesh with divinity, and by that life bore the whole world's sins and made salvation possible.
As Redeemer and High Priest he has power to help repentant people recognizing sinfulness, and the sinless One took humanity's place and bore guilt.
As substitute and surety he was afflicted in all afflictions and is fully able and willing to give required help even when harassed by Satan.
In sinless humanity he recoiled from evil and endured struggles, with humanity making prayer necessary and frequent earnest prayers for himself and disciples showing dependence as substitute.
His sinless life answered whether people can keep God's law, and in him human and divine were united to reconcile God and man.
By becoming a humble child in poverty he entered hardship so no sinner can claim he does not know temptations.
He deeply feels weakness with compassionate love as Savior and Great Physician, so those looking to him are changed into his likeness and find rest of mind essential to recovery.
As great merciful tender High Priest he understands weakness because tempted yet without sin, giving reason to hold fast and come boldly for mercy, and in united divinity and humanity he succors though high and holy pitying weakness.
He experienced temptation and weakness without sin so he understands and helps, and his life exemplifies trusting God and overcoming as followers must so trials strengthen believers.
He perfected righteousness for fallen humanity and offers it, so through faith it is credited and the person counted righteous.
He veiled glory and assumed man's nature, successfully withstanding every temptation from childhood to manhood yet without sin.
Having taken humanity he tenderly sympathizes, inviting troubles to be left in his care as refuge for counsel and hope in every anxiety.
He took humanity and experienced weakness as merciful High Priest, passing over ground humans must pass so he knows every case and judges righteously.
He was tempted in every way yet without sin, so he understands weakness and helps those tempted coming in faith.
He took humanity and identified with sufferings, being tempted so he knows how to help, and as substitute he overcame Satan and obtained strength for fallen people.
He came in human form and endured temptations to show people can overcome through unity with him as he is one with the Father.
He came down to humanity's level with temptations as real as people's, with Satan tempting him in the wilderness on the same great points, but he did not yield at any point.
He experienced temptation yet resisted through divine strength without sin, and his victory enables help so through merits people may overcome.
The Son humbled himself to exemplify what human nature may be if teachings are followed, tempted in all points yet not overcome.
He is made perfect through suffering, so he knows what people need and can bear and gives grace to endure every trial he brings, as risen Savior not in the tomb, unchanging guide and giver leading step by step.
His suffering was greater than ours, and his path patterns bearing trials without complaint with hope of glory, quieting complaints and bringing gratitude, with restraining care as mercy like a shepherd's crook and refining fire.
Through his life given to atone and enable obedience, justice is satisfied and God can forgive the believing sinner, offering every repentant believer power to become a child of God and a way to break with Satan and receive pardon.
He took the same nature as the sinner yet without sin, walked in the same difficulties and dangers, and those in them are to obtain help as he did through vital connection with God, and because he overcame and bore penalty he alone can bear burdens wrongly placed on one another and deliver penitents seeking pardon.
He endured Satan's temptations and people's reproach, revealing sacrifice and love, and though divine he experienced discouragements and understands need for wisdom and strength, with divine power enabling resistance and victory.
His coming as God's own Son rather than angels to suffer and save proves God's great love, and in return God demands obedience with each working out salvation, with his sympathy restoring God's image in cooperators.
Looking to and believing on him in all completeness as priest, advocate and king makes true Christians following the Lamb as kingdom subjects, and receiving priestly help requires increased faith, for salvation is by God's power through faith as gift not human ability.
His joining humanity teaches men and women to feel others' sufferings and show tenderness, fitting them to be missionaries and making healing a blessing, with followers walking humbly, sharing his sufferings, speaking timely words and restoring the erring rather than condemning.
Because he sympathizes and knows how to help, he teaches meekness and lowliness, and his abiding presence and righteousness sustain believers while finding him precious moves them to bring happiness and bear fruit, with his yoke easy for those bringing heaven into life.
He knows the heart and circumstances of temptation and understands besetting strength and needs, so troubled sinners can trust him for mercy and those coming for refuge are saved completely.
He took humanity with its infirmities and was beset with fiercest temptations yet corrupted not nature nor transgressed in any particular but fulfilled every specification, coming as helpless babe to live with humanity not as angel, representing the Father, bringing moral power, testifying divine power was given him no differently than it will be given us, leaving even the humblest no excuse.
He took humanity and experienced people's temptations so he knows struggle, and acceptors as personal Savior receive divine help to resist, and through merits can overcome, obey, be succored with perfect grace without human agency and become meek and lowly.
He experienced temptation in every way including appeal of earthly beauty, wealth and power yet remained without sin with uncorrupted heart valuing holiness, showing resisting means choosing the holy over what draws from God.
He faced temptation as human beings do yet resisted it, making resisting the pattern expected of followers.
His ability to be touched is real sufficiency and continual defense to the oppressed, those meeting difficulties, facing enemies and undertaking duties beyond strength, learned by personal experience, so standing in his strength teaches faithfulness, no one obeying in own ability but by taking hold as surety he becomes righteousness, holding even in prison for truth.
He is the sympathizing Healer understanding infirmities and giving help in every need, so the afflicted find hope by looking to him rather than dwelling on weakness.
He is tenderly compassionate toward the contrite trusting soul, pitying all and strong for those fearing him facing a foe they cannot meet alone, bearing them up so obedience points the safe way near his side where Satan cannot prevail.
Though without sin he took infirmities and resisted assaults through union of human and divine, thereby showing what humanity could be and placing people on vantage ground so they may share divine nature and live by God's word.
He took human nature and therefore knows all infirmities and bears them without losing divine glory, and because fellowship is restored through him the helpless weak can go forward in his strength and venture to ask large things in faith.
He came at infinite sacrifice as great Physician to help weakness, bringing to those under transgression's curse needed restoration of soul and body.
He is ever touched with human woe, feeling every throb of pain, and is consolation in bereavement and widowhood to whom the afflicted can bring troubles for courage and help.
He never makes a mistake and never lets go of the hand clasping his in trust, loving and desiring trust in return, so provoked children should look heavenward, keep the tongue from evil and act as he would under provocation.
His compassion sees bodily suffering and behind it greater need of diseased heart and soul trouble causing affliction, so pity moves him to cleanse the soul, and helpers must meet physical needs to open way for spiritual ministry.
He lived as a poor man's son among the poor enduring hatred and greater sufferings while Satan sought to make him sin, so none can claim he did not know poverty or temptation.
He lived from childhood to manhood bearing constant trial without failure, sanctifying every stage of fallen life from the manger, showing no necessity to continue in sin.
He met temptation as man setting aside royal glory and displays compelling belief, overcoming through imparted strength and the Holy Spirit to demonstrate people can withstand Satan.
He felt need to draw strength from the great Source, going to solitary places praying for hours with tears, therefore understanding great need and proving a sure refuge never disappointing seekers, with victory by wrestling prayer and the Spirit's gift.
He was assailed on every point without mistake so divinity was not tarnished, feeling need of strength from above and spending many nights in prayer with tears.
He prayed for support facing trials and public work, knowing toil, conflict, suffering and death and weight of saving the separated, giving an example of dependence.
He was tempted on every point and to resist spent whole nights in prayer, giving his life so believers can be overcomers living perfect faith and character, and those bought by blood are to look to him and not disappoint him.
He is the great high priest to whom prayers are now directed, unseen pleading in the sanctuary above as the priest offering incense looked by faith toward the unseen mercy-seat.
As merciful High Priest he feels sympathy meaning believers must manifest the same spirit by loving God supremely and neighbors as themselves, standing shoulder to shoulder bound in sympathy instead of aloof attitudes, so fainting ones receive new life.
He took humanity and faced every temptation without sin, overcoming devices through divinity's power, and through faith people may overcome through that same power, receiving help to obey which they cannot by own strength, bring appetites under God's will, escape corruption and live without continuing in sin.
He laid aside princely character that angel armies could have displayed and came in humanity to suffer all temptations to reveal victorious overcoming is possible, and though his own received him not as many as received him receive power to become sons of God.
He was tempted in every way meeting every besetting temptation yet never sinning and overcoming in humanity, and Christians are ever to walk with God and learn how he overcame and how they may overcome with a way of escape by walking humbly.
He shared weakness and was subject to sorrow, weariness, hunger, thirst and temptation yet yielded to no sin and bore no taint, and as second Adam stood the test with perfect obedience making him Owner of all humanity.
He is touched by struggles of those trying to overcome, so one struggling to give up tobacco can seek help without discouragement because he understands.
He understands pain and weakness because afflicted and tempted yet without sin and knows how to help, being the one to turn to when feeling alone or when prayers for healing seem unanswered.
Though equal with the Father in dignity and glory and heaven's loved commander, he became man sympathizing with all woes, submitting to rudeness, fighting fierce battle tempted in all points yet sinning not and carrying through his plan, then ascending as substitute and Advocate, calling the saved to partake sufferings without complaint and look to glory.
His nature combined divine and human, having all God's attributes as representative of Father and race, taking humanity bone of bone and submitting to besetting temptations, proving able to remove stigma Satan placed, and by joining humanity with divinity meeting every demand of law with his arm bringing salvation.
As Son and express image he became human in fallen condition without taint, and as second Adam faced Adam's ground, was tempted as humans are and overcame on their behalf, becoming Advocate and Redeemer.
He truly experienced human life subjected to besetting temptations yet without sin, facing every opposition during thirty-three years but living faultlessly obedient, showing what humanity must do to overcome.
He was in all points tempted yet without sin with the same afflicting temptations enduring every possible test including Satan's last attempt and Adam's test, with no yielding or retaliation, Satan finding nothing, his flawless character making him the sinless living sacrifice.
As Mediator he understands needs because tempted yet without sin, so in disappointment people can speak with him knowing he understands whether what they ask would be blessing or curse.
He came bearing human nature to give truth and teach obedience, placing beings on vantage ground, conquering where Adam failed by withstanding every temptation free from spot.
He endured temptation for sinners and wore thorns for them, will be crowned with glory with the redeemed seeing him as he is in worship with harps and unearthly music, and his divinity is to be taken hold of by living faith as the gift by which humanity may share joy.
He shared weakness and experienced trials from earliest years, identifying with common family trials so people could share strength, facing fiercest assaults entirely sinless and made like brothers, showing through grace people may overcome trusting he will be with them.
He is a compassionate Redeemer knowing weakness and moved with pity toward those struggling and sometimes failing.
He was tempted yet never yielded even through forty days with will submitted, showing followers will face assault but resistance is followed by grace, with his suffering as pattern.
He lived on earth and faced temptation so none can truthfully say he cannot sympathize, withstanding all temptations and enduring persecution to shameful death, and because he conquered he could promise salvation to a repentant sinner.
As great High Priest in the holy place he bears all people's names upon his heart as Aaron symbolized, remembering every encouraging word because ever mindful of covenant.
He joined human flesh in vital union with divinity and was tempted yet without sin, walking Adam's ground and bearing the first parents' test as perfect obedient representative whose obedience had to be complete since failure on one point would make Satan victorious, so self is to be forsaken and faith in him held as only valuable science.
He is a sufficient compassionate High Priest and Advocate tenderly concerned in weakness, and trusting and obeying him gives faith, courage, patience and love.
His sinless life amid pride, selfishness and covetousness shows the righteousness God requires children to live.
His work as High Priest and Advocate in heavenly courts allows believers through mediation to claim promises and receive all he secured.
He took human nature tempted yet without sin, setting a divine standard each must meet, proving temptation gives no excuse and the right course of righteousness must be chosen instead of the prohibited course bringing ruin unless there is reform.
He took humanity and went to heaven in human and divine nature together so he understands temptations and can work for people, and though sinless became propitiation able to deliver from sin and Satan's power when they strive in his name.
Though Prince of life and ruler of heaven's host, he came in humility experiencing besetting temptations on our behalf, calling us to value self-sacrifice and become self-denying workers with God.
As divine-human Savior he did not lay aside divinity but clothed it with humanity to stand by humanity, leaving courts and angels to come as helpless babe growing in poverty, tempted yet without sin, perfected to sympathize and sustain the poor, revealing humanity through cooperation with divinity can attain perfection in its sphere.
He is the only sure help in obligations, fears and perplexities, since human sources fail because even loving friends meet greater trials or cannot make another's case their own, while help has been laid on one mighty trained in suffering as captain made perfect through suffering.
He sympathizes with varied joys and sorrows and identified with the weak, helpless, lowly, needy and afflicted, being touched by woe as a Savior affected by joys as well as griefs who can be trusted to care.
He passed through opposition, bereavement, affliction and heavy trials so believers need not fail, but such experiences can form character for everlasting life.
Those in responsibility facing temptation have this sympathetic High Priest and depend wholly on merits and grace, and those trembling under the cross can go directly to Jesus for wisdom and power rather than depending on ministers.
He knows temptations and weaknesses of children, youth and those hurt by words, knows how to help in every need and to help them overcome, giving reason not to be discouraged.
He was never surprised by devices, guides tempted step by step, gives grace suited to every emergency when they look to God, shares common interest, prays for them, guards from despair and does not leave them to perish when surprised into sin.
His sinless daily round to save souls showed tender regard for the weary and fainting; he spent whole nights in prayer for the tempted, felt tenderness over tested faith such as sorrow when John the Baptist was left to die, welcomed the sick even when rest was frustrated, healed and fed souls, then withdrew to pour out his soul for sinners.
He joins almighty power with infinite pity to uphold without fear, while law and force have no pity; safety is in clasping his warm hand and trusting his loving heart without self-pity, and he holds the trembling hand until placed on firm ground.
As Son of man victoriously resisting temptation he can judge justly and tenderly, knowing every subtle temptation and bearing shared weaknesses as brother who gave blood to save.
His sinlessness did not lessen sympathy, but steadfast loyalty to righteousness made him a saving power of grace.
He comforts those in distress and invites them to come for rest, so Christians can endure sickness and hardship through communion with him and hope of resurrection when pain, sorrow and death end, and no experience can come that he does not understand.
He is touched with infirmities and woe in self-denial, calling believers to have hearts throbbing with misfortune, appreciate what he accomplished and imitate courteous kind service in little things that comforts and sends none away empty.
Though rich he became poor that sinners might be made rich, loving them in ingratitude, reaching depths of woe with unwearied patience, laboring unappreciated in a thankless world in works infinitely greater than any done for others.
He unfolded before the heavenly universe the great salvation his righteousness would bring if accepted, an inheritance among saints and angels in God's presence.
He is the sufficiency for teachers, parents and educators, having been exposed to sharp temptation and bitter sorrow seeing many yield, and being made like brethren to know how to deliver the godly, giving encouragement to draw near through him.
He knows how to succor and is a trustworthy friend to remember when troubled by others' words, and Christians' temptations and failures amid evil agents do not justify despising them or hindering them.
Whoever accepts his virtues by faith receives his power so temptations cannot force sin, and the repentant one believing, praying and claiming the power he died to give overcomes by grace, lays hold of divine nature and becomes a child of God, making his sinless life both example and gift of power.
He became one with humanity and endured assaults on humanity's behalf, and though among fallen people remained sinless to show people can stand with God by keeping laws and doing will in love and goodness.
He met lifelong opposition without giving way through God-given power, demonstrating God can help people resist evil and recover His moral image.
He shared human sorrows, and those sharing others' sorrows can by faith see him working with them.
As living Savior he understands weakness, hears petitions, sustains resistance to evil, watches unseen without disappointing faith, and calls for joyful hopeful religion rather than gloom.
All sorrows here are discipline for higher life, and through appropriated grace trials purify and fit for heaven, with trusters held by everlasting arms and cared for by the Father who notices the sparrow, so they wait in entire dependence for grace to endure.
He was repeatedly tempted to compromise with the world but remained morally upright, coming to redeem sinners and clothe them with righteousness.
He endured affliction, insults, abuse and temptation without sinning and overcame through divine power, the sinner's only hope, enabling people through his life and death to share divine nature and overcome corruption.
He assures believers he will send help when needed including times of trouble, and gives sustaining grace so his case can be trusted to him.
His experience of continually triumphing in God through every trial encourages believers they can remain strong by relying on God.
His infinite humanity makes him tender toward the wanderer and struggling, and fellowship gives strength to overcome the lower nature, while knowing own weakness should move one to help others with comfort received from God.
He is the divine-human Savior who shared experience from childhood to manhood and stood at the head of fallen humanity.
As world's Redeemer he understands all experiences humanity must pass through, having lived human life and gained firsthand knowledge of great value to us.
He is a tender true comforter beyond earthly comforters, feeling weakness and speaking to the heart not only the ear, with comfort for all believers in every sorrow, darkness and loneliness; no distance separates them, for through the Holy Spirit given in his place to act in his stead he is always present to support, sustain, cheer and work love, joy, peace and faith in the soul.
The Son suffered while without stain, and his suffering set before sinners urges them to get hold of God, win the crown and repent to be received, with humanity to grasp divinity and in divine power labor for souls in danger.
He clothed divinity with humanity so humanity could touch humanity and divinity lay hold on God's throne, subjecting himself to all temptations and giving himself into men's power to be crucified; his death exhibits God's unselfishness pouring heaven's treasures to rescue man, reveals love at Calvary and exposes Satan's real character and what would have ruled had God not interposed.
He knows particular weaknesses, needs and griefs and understands beings he did so much to save, joined to his promise not to leave followers comfortless but to give the Spirit of truth dwelling with and in them.
He is deeply moved by suffering and understands weakness, compassionate toward the feeble and humble, supporting assurance he does not condemn for limits caused by frailty.
In the heavenly sanctuary he is a great sympathetic High Priest understanding sorrow and pressure, and those carrying heavy responsibilities can look to him for help.
He understands trials and self-denial children face including giving up will to meet others' wishes, is ready to help when they call and teaches need for special help rather than own strength.
As Savior touched with infirmities he enters necessities, cares and sorrows, looks on the church with intense tender sympathy as wonderful Counselor to whom needs should be brought, and failing to bring them loses blessings; his ways are not human ways, he sees results of every action and asks patient trust in wisdom rather than human plans.
As substitute he shared feelings of weakness and suffering, and compassion for the needy is why he tenderly cares and commits their care to his church.
He gave his life for the world and loves everyone trusting him, sympathizing with those suffering depression of disease and feeling every pang loved ones feel, and as best friend he never leaves trusting ones so the sick can cling and rest in hope.
He understands suffering because tempted yet without sin, as a sympathizing Savior who does not willingly afflict or grieve.
The Son has tenderest sympathy with the tempted church because himself tempted and knowing how to help, and his signal victory as Champion leaves the way open for man to be more than conqueror through merits because he loves him, placing humanity elevated with God over which heaven rejoices.
When temptations are resisted by turning to him they can strengthen experience and prepare for eternal life.
A risen ascended high priest invites believers to share his work by taking his yoke, bearing its burden and carrying forward the work he did on earth.
He is a tender compassionate high priest who knows it all and every weakness because touched with infirmities, so troubled believers can stop looking at self and imagining evil, look to him, receive orders, be imbued with his Spirit and press forward with courage trusting him for grace while doing work even though imperfect.
He was the Majesty of heaven and Prince of life yet humbled himself as man obedient to every law, passing over ground every taker of his name must tread and coming forth pure, making him the example in all things whose first advent and self-denying ministry expressing truth to bless humanity by every word and work should be studied more.
He is touched by struggles and weaknesses of those trying to overcome, and his tenderness toward others is the example for followers, while coldness shows his Spirit is not abiding.
He understands every weakness and can give rich grace, because experiencing life and temptation yet without sin he is fully able to help those looking to him and learning from his word.
He is merciful and sympathetic toward weakness, so learning in his school means becoming pitiful, courteous and forgiving as one wishes to be forgiven, pitying others rather than being unmerciful, while hardness molds character wrongly, weakens piety and closes heaven's gates.
He is compassionate toward weakness, knows infirmities and can help by power when there is full trust.
As Son of the living God, only begotten who gave precious life, he left courts laying aside crown and robes and came as infant to carry through warning and educating work, coming as example with no sin through all life, a gift demanding appreciation of saving power.
He endured temptation without yielding so he can deliver the tempted, and by standing firm he exposed enemy methods and showed weapons believers may use.
He is touched with infirmities and has tender present sympathy for people under strong temptation and spiritual danger in danger of cutting loose, calling for tender sympathy to them, and following his example also means presenting general principles rather than at once giving decided personal testimony.
He understands human weakness and guilt, sees past guilt yet speaks pardon and loves comers, and loves and pities in weakness so they have reason to trust rather than doubt and to trust him with what they cannot understand.
He understands pain of being misunderstood from experiencing weariness, reproach, false accusation and temptation, and though now glorified has not forgotten it, so he can sympathize and help in every need.
He knows each person's needs and unspoken grief, notices when little ones are harmed and holds the offender to account, and as good shepherd cares for the weak, sick and wandering by name, inviting the burdened to come because unlike human friends he can bear afflictions.
He understands human temptation and can be sought for help, and those accepting him receive divine help to resist and through merits can overcome and obey, coming with perfect grace without human agency and providing that tempted people can become sweet, meek and lowly.
He knows from experience how to help and teaches that resisting provocation is victory, while his wilderness victory contrasts with Adam's fall by redeeming failure and placing the family on vantage ground so through crucified and risen merits people can overcome for themselves.
He is deeply touched by weakness and suffering, attentive to sufferers and ready to save discouraged souls, and as Savior gave his life as sin offering so atonement could be made for the whole race.
He understands and has compassion for those suffering for his sake including misunderstanding at home, having endured the same distress, so sufferers find companionship and seek relief through communion as he did.
Though truly human he was entirely free from sin with no impure word and doing no wrong, yet sinlessness did not keep him from ordinary settings or meeting people where they were, joining publicans at meals then speaking to bless and teach.
He is the gracious Lord tender in compassion understanding weakness and responding to sincere prayer, who though Prince of life and Creator took weak erring nature, so individuals and churches walk in humility learning meekness, none seeking wholeheartedly remaining barren, and he is to be uplifted with pure doctrine in living faith.
He is a compassionate sin-pardoning Savior whose understanding supports forgiveness, and caregivers should keep his sweetening influence before patients, repeat promises, offer daily prayer and labor for spiritual recovery.
He took humanity so he could experience trials and become Redeemer, understanding weariness, hunger and inconvenience, remaining without sin and perfectly obeying law, giving an example of faithful obedience demonstrating commandments can be kept through grace.
He faced temptation but remained steadfast, with no danger, hardship or temptation able to turn him from duty.
He feels suffering of the afflicted and sympathizes with woe with the same compassion now as on earth, so the afflicted can come in faith for healing of bodily sickness and maladies of soul.
He is a personal Savior sympathizing with weakness, loving people and giving himself for them, and doing all things well.
In humanity he experienced every temptation yet never sinned or turned from allegiance, and his death redeems from death and makes it possible for the redeemed to share divine nature, be glorified and live with him through ages.
He took human form, lived among people and assumed liabilities to undergo testing, and through life among humanity he brought power to overcome.
He faced temptation as man's representative without relying on special unavailable power, and his obedient life demonstrates lifelong obedience to commandments is possible, challenging Satan's claim people cannot obey.
He lived a real life separated from heavenly courts and felt loneliness and grief disciples never understood, whose human nature was often grieved by lack of demonstrative appreciation, attention and recognition of supremacy as Redeemer, such outward expression being acceptable and the way the world judges love, with failure showing lack of stronger faith needed to withstand satanic agencies.
For our sakes he bore Satan's temptations on every point, never listening to reasoning, having accepted terms of being given by God as only hope so whoever believes should not perish but have everlasting life.
He is a compassionate helper understanding sorrow, who as great Medical Missionary and friend of sinners relieved the poor, needy and afflicted and remains ready to help, calling followers to serve as helping hand.
He laid aside robe and crown and took humanity's form so fallen humanity through merits might partake divine nature and escape corruption, was subjected to fiercest assaults yet not for a moment yielded or became discouraged, and gave his life for a fallen race, a love amazing in depth.
He took human nature untainted yet tempted just as people are, kept divine law by unwavering obedience magnifying the law as righteousness' standard, and his obedience proves man can keep the law also since God requires nothing impossible.
He was tempted in every way yet did not sin, his human nature not yielding at any point, and because he overcame every son and daughter of Adam may overcome, with the way being to obey his voice.
He shared weakness and was tempted yet remained pure and never yielded, his sinlessness meaning the family would have been lost had he yielded even once, and he feels deep anguish when disciples give in because each soul lost matters more than the whole world.
He is the precious Savior ever touched with human woe sympathizing with the afflicted and sick, whose helping hand is to be held fast by faith for blessing and healing when he sees it for good, and he will be found by all seeking with whole heart believing promises as sure pledge of pardon to all repenting and surrendering fully.
He understands weakness and infirmity as large-hearted sympathetic Friend and present help in every trouble, giving consolation and assurance of love, deeply moved, near in trouble, ready to bear burdens, dependable when sought, with companionship making trusters safe and strength making them strong.
He faced every temptation yet without sin, overcame by prayers, and his victory enables receivers to share divine nature, overcome assaults and escape corruption.
He experienced temptation in every way people do and knows how to help the tried, so they can seek help with confidence because he experientially understands trials and sympathizes; God sent His Son not angels to save, making salvation possible and showing great love, and his sorrow joined him to humanity while divine power and human nature make him the means by which people are accepted and can approach for help.
He was tempted to sin yet Satan could not lead him into sin or turn him from work, revealing spotless character.
He knows weakness and gives daily help to overcome, so all willing can be overcomers by going to him every day, with strength not gained a month ahead but victory won day by day as believers strive to reach the standard.
He is a compassionate Savior sympathizing in trials to whom children can be taught to come with all troubles trusting as best Friend; he understood children's temptations because experiencing them, and though enticed never departed from truth remaining sinless while living humble family duties, so youth having temptations should not forget to pray, with Jesus loving and strengthening them.
He knows weakness because tempted yet without sin, and in sickness and pain this understanding gives confidence to bring needs in prayer.
He knows human weakness and has tender pity for strugglers, understanding infirmities of the tempted and able to give help, strength and grace in time of need.
He understands and accepts the soul assaulted unexpectedly even when the tempter suggests horrifying thoughts, and he knows human infirmities as compassionate friend, counselor and guide healing diseases and never leaving those clinging to him.
He is a sympathetic Savior understanding troubles who can be trusted as sure helper, so perplexities can be taken to him.