Hebrews 2:18

Hebrews 2:18

I. The Divine Son of God, before His incarnation in our flesh, was in His own personal being separate from the sons of men. The counsels of infinite love resulted in His becoming the Saviour of the world of that world whereof man was the head and lord. It pleased Him, in His amazing condescension, to plant Himself in the root of our human nature, which had fallen from God and from love. We all see and know how necessary this was. But we do not, perhaps, so often reflect upon the necessity which there was, that He should take upon Him human infirmity, and trial, and suffering, for a reason that sprang, not so much from Divine as from human requirements. He knew, he felt, as a Creator, all that we suffer. But one link was wanting to bind Him to us in fact, a gulf of vast extent lay yet between us He had not undergone these things; we had undergone them. He can now be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, not merely because, as our God, He knows them, and not one pang of the suffering heart is hidden from Him but for more, because, as our brother, He has Himself felt them; has been a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.

II. Christ's temptation was His training for our help in temptation. Not only does He know our frame, and remember that we are but dust, but each trial of our faith and constancy finds a vibrating chord in His personal being. His temptation was His training, and it is our help. Do you find Christ not sufficient for your day of temptation? It is because your view of Christ wants enlarging and deepening. But this is not all. Christ is not a fact but a Person. Study the character and acts of Jesus, but with a view to know not only more about Him, but more of Himself, by personal communion.

H. Alford, Quebec Chapel Sermons,vol. iii., p. 84.

The Efficient Sympathy of Christ.

I. The Suffering. (1) It was personal suffering. This is impressively indicated by the use of the word Himself. (2) It was positive and most painful suffering. (2) In all its reality, variety, and extent, it bore the special character of temptation.

II. The Succour. (1) This succour is accompanied with the truest sympathy. Our knowledge of temptation or trial is measured by our personal endurance of it. (2) This succour is imparted with the utmost promptitude. (3) This succour is conveyed in the form of actual deliverance, or effective relief, or, at least, adequate support.

E. Thomson, Memorials of a Ministry,p. 264.

References: Hebrews 2:18. J. Irons, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. x., p. 377; Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. ix., p. 487; Ibid., Evening by Evening,p. 279; A. Rowland, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxxvi., p. 246; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iv., p. 89; vol. x., p. 78; Homiletic Magazine,vol. vi., p. 153.