….a High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.”  (Hebr. 4:15)

Today is my last Wednesday morning with my precious group of retired friends.  What a blessing.  Hebr. ch. 5 will be my farewell study with my dear brethren.

It´s about the ministry of our High Priest, our glorified Lord Jesus Christ, and it´s connected with Hebr. 4:14-16.  So how do we experience that particular ministry of His in our personal lives?  For the study is not meant to be just a supply or “injection” of theological head knowledge, is it?

Søren Kierkegaard, the Christian, Danish Philosopher, elaborates  in one of his devotionals on the Lord´s ministry in the life of a despairing soul, whose real pain is not the despair itself, but the fact that nobody seems to  sympathize with that indescribable pain.  “If you only knew what I´m going through….”

But Kierkegaard hastens to point to Him who understands and who is qualified to understand and to feel. He is able to sympathize, He knows your pain, your weakness, He is right there to minister mercy and give  “grace to help in time of need”.  He deals gently with our ignorance, and should that thought ever occur to you that He doesn´t, think of what He went through to be qualified for that ministry in your personal life.  If you don´t understand it now, you will some day.

This bible study is perfectly timed for my own need full of failures, ignorance (stupidity), weaknesses, and above all my need of forgiveness.  His ministry is not for super heroes nor for elite Christians, but for failing individuals like you and me.  The secret of His grace is that despite our weaknesses we find ourselves strong in Him and in Him only.  “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me!”  (2 Cor. 12:9)

-jn-

May 13, 2009