Is That All?
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 NASB
Sympathize – “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that?” “Wow, how you have suffered. My heart goes out to you.” “What a terrible thing. I wish I could do something to help.”
All those expressions of sympathy. But they really don’t cut it, do they? We’ve heard them all before. Vacuous. People who tell us they care—and then do nothing. Maybe they just don’t know what to do. They are just as lost as we are when it comes to relieving real suffering. They think we want to hear reassuring words, but what we really need is something more. Something deeply personal.
That’s why translating sympathéō as “sympathize” really dilutes the impact. “In Heb. 4:15 sympathéō does not signify a sympathetic understanding that is ready to condone, but a fellow feeling that derives from full acquaintance with the seriousness of the situation as a result of successfully withstanding temptation.”[1] Did you feel that? The “full acquaintance” of the situation. Everything about it. The confusion, the anger, the helplessness, the anxiety, the remorse, the injustice, the gut wrenching, the upset equilibrium, the dizziness, the disorientation, the questioning. It’s all there and only someone who has shared in those same experiences can really be helpful. That’s why Twelve Step groups are filled with people of common failure. You can’t be one unless you already are one.
When the author of Hebrews tells us that our Messiah sympathizes, he does not mean that Yeshua speaks those all-too-familiar powerless words of pity. He means that this man is sitting in the same room introducing himself as one of us. He knows that road because he has walked it. I can count on him because he speaks my language—the language of a broken heart.
No, it’s not sympathy. It’s far more than that. It’s “full acquaintance” with the dregs, the battle, the crash. I listen to his voice because I hear something in it that draws me into the light. It’s not sympathy. It’s love.
Topical Index: sympathéō, sympathize, Hebrews 4:15
[1] Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (802–803). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
Yes. YES. He can fully relate to the pain, the suffering, the emotional rollercoaster, the helplessness, the lack of control, the frustration of it ALL. If our High Priest sat down next to us, looked into our eyes and searched our face, he could see and relate to the effects of all as we look right back into his tender eyes. Maybe he would touch one of our arms, hold our hand, stroke our back, or put his arm around us to connect with us and say, “I know. I get it. I truly love you. You will make it. I will sustain you. I will heal your brokenness. Trust me.”
He does not speak for you
He speaks as you
Christ in you the hope of Glory
The Priest of the new covenant/The Son of God
The blood of Able cries for justice
The blood of the Lamb answers with recompense of resurrection life!!
Why is the Living Christ so scary to look upon?
I would rather be scared to death than not to have seen Him with my own eyes.
His beauty cannot be compared to all the great sculptures of ancient Rome, Italy, or of all the depictions combined- because even though they may have been inspired by a love for Him, like a sign or a wonder…to draw you- they are not your destination.
He will take your breath away- and you will never “wonder” who He is again. Come while it is still day- come ask the Holy Spirit to show you –
Then you might be painting masterpieces all over the world! Not with paint, but with living words of Life!!
Blessings, for your journey
“He means that this man is sitting in the same room…” as I said “room”, for we read this out loud together each day, my breath caught and I began weeping, for this phenomenal connectedness is something I had never identified before. As a Twelve Step veteran, it washed over me like a huge wave as I spoke. And I had to stop, and cry, and just feel that connectedness, identify with Messiah in a way I never had before. And now I know him all the more as I am known, yet still through a glass dimly.
Thank you, Skip. Thank you.
One of your better posts Skip.
Do you mean to say that Yeshua experienced the same or similiar feelings that wash over ME, sometimes flooding me, flooring me? “The confusion, the anger, the helplessness, the anxiety, the remorse, the injustice, the gut wrenching, the upset equilibrium, the dizziness, the disorientation, the questioning” If this is what you are saying it means that, yet again, I have to reexamine not only my entire belief system and my understanding of the humanity of Yeshua, but my relationship with Him. Who is it exactly then that I have called Lord? An idol, a demon, a false God? I am not acquainted with this “down and dirty” Messiah, but now that you have introduced me I am strangely attracted to this revelation of His incaration. Time to seek Him in HIS reality, not my fantasy and inherited false version of a man above all these carnal, fleshly things which we mere mortal, frail, sinful men struggle on a every moment basis. Thanks Skip. I don’t mind starting over if it will lead me to the right WAY, a greater understanding of TRUTH and a more abundant LIFE.
Question. I was told that someone received this message when they tried to open the TW this morning on their iPhone, “This message cannot be displayed because of the way it is formatted. Ask the sender to send it again using a different format or email program.”
Anyone else ever have that happen? If not and you have an iPhone( I ditched my Apple products long ago) could you please check and let me know?
Thanks!
Came thru on my iphone per normal.