Gentle & Lowly II
Notes
Transcript
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.
INTRO—
INTRO—
[Jesus has not only told us specifically, but also shown us objectively…his heart!]
AND… In an age when the value of compassion, empathy, sympathy, gentleness, kindness… [let’s just say] caring is being challenged…
…the Bible shows us that we have a Savior, our Lord, with a heart…
Of Significant Sympathy [Hebrews 4.14-16]
Of Significant Sympathy [Hebrews 4.14-16]
Key v. = Hebrews 4.15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.”
“in every way”
Hebrews 2.18 “For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.”
“yet without sin”
Hebrews 7.26-27 “For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself.”
MAKE NO MISTAKE!
C.S. Lewis (p. 49)…tempted in every way yet without sin—Jesus never laid down nor was blown over by the wind, strong wind (even if reaching hurricane force speeds), of temptation; AND never sinned!
…so, he is worthy to save and does so from a significant heart of sympathy for us (sinners and sufferers)!
[Quick additional note (pp. 45-46)]: (Vv. 14-16 contain two wonderful blessings/reminders) The truth of v. 15 means we must, and sure can, maintain fidelity in our doctrine (of God) (v. 14); AND, we must, and sure can, maintain or confidence in our communion with God (v. 16).
Of Deep Gentleness [Hebrews 5.1-6]
Of Deep Gentleness [Hebrews 5.1-6]
Key vv. = Hebrews 5.2 “He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.”
Hebrews 5.5-6 “In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him, You are my Son; today I have become your Father, also says in another place, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
We’ve moved from the “what” of Jesus’ high priestly role in Heb. 4, to the “how” of Jesus’ high priestly role in Heb. 5.
“And what is the how? Gently.” (p. 52)
“Deal gently”
Hebrews 4.15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.”
“with those who are ignorant and are going astray”
Ignorant: unintentionally; moderate; lesser
Going Astray: wayward; bigger; defiantly
“Consider what all this means...” (p.54; read it).
John Owen: “[Jesus can] no more cast off poor sinners for their ignorance and wanderings than a nursing father should cast away a sucking child for its crying…Thus ought it to be with a high priest, and thus it is with Jesus Christ. He is able, with all meekness and gentleness, with all patience and moderation, to bear with the infirmities, sins, and provocations of his people, even as a nurse or a nursing father bears with the weakness…of a poor infant.” (p. 55)
Dane Ortlund: “Our sinfulness runs so deep that a tepid measure of gentleness from Jesus would not be enough; but as deep our sinfulness runs, ever deeper runs his gentleness.” (p. 56)
Let’s thank God for this truth!
Of Open Arms [John 6.32-40]
Of Open Arms [John 6.32-40]
Key v. = John 6.37 “Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out.”
From Dane Ortland (pp. 60-61)...
Everyone— ‘Once the Father set his loving gaze on a wandering sinner, that sinner’s rescue is certain.’
The Father— ‘The Father himself ordains our deliverance. He takes the loving initiative.’ (John 6.38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”)
Gives— ‘not “haggles over.”’
Will Come— ‘God’s saving purpose for a sinner is never thwarted.’
And the One Who Comes— ‘While the Father is clearly the sovereign overseer of our redemption, we are not dragged kicking and screaming into Christ against our will.’
To Me— ‘We do not come to a set of doctrines…a church…the Gospel…but most truly, we come to a person, to Christ himself.’ (pp. 60-61)
John Bunyan: “‘No, wait’—we say, cautiously approaching Jesus— ‘you don’t understand. I’ve really messed up, in all kinds of ways.”
I know, he responds.
‘You know most of it, sure. Certainly more than what others see. But there’s perversity down inside me that is hidden from everyone.’
I know it all.
“Well—the thing is, it isn’t just my past. It’s my present too.’
I understand… (pp. 63-64; from Bunyan, Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ, 1678)
Psalm 63.8 “I follow close to you; your right hand holds on to me.”
I’m glad our relationship to Jesus is sooo much more about him holding on to me than me holding on to him! (2-year-old strength analogy).
CONCL—
CONCL—
Dane Ortlund: “But Jesus does not say that those with pain-free lives are never cast out. He says those who come to him are never cast out.” (p. 65)
Question: Will you come to him today?
Hebrews 4.15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.”
Oh, let us draw near to the significant sympathy, the deep gentleness, and open arms of the heart of Jesus!
Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out.