In the last couple of lessons we’ve been looking in ( Hebrews 4 ). We will continue on this course today as well. Last week it was ( Hebrews 4:12 ), so today we will look and study, make comments about at least the next three verses.

Hebrews 4:13-15 )

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. ( 14 ) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ( 15 ) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

In our lesson last week I sought to show how that God the Father seperated our ( soul and spirit ) at the moment we were born again. With that being the case, can you see how he is still connected to us. He completely dependant on us to carry out what he, spiritually wants to do in this world. Do you remember the song ( In The Garden )? the words of that song says this: ( And he walks with me and he talks with me. He tells me I am his own. And the joy we share, as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

Jesus says it this way:

( John 14:10 )

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The word that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

He is so close to you, he becomes you! In ( verse 13 ) it says that ( there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. As we consider that verse and what is being said, it becomes one of the most powerful connections between God the Father and every person that is known to exist! The last part of that verse says ( with whom we have to do ). Let’s consider something here; I’m left handed. Often when I’m using a hammer I might miss the nail I’m seeking to drive and hit the thumb on my right hand. When that happens, do you realize that it’s not just my right thumb that hurts? My whole body is somewhat effected by that one member.

It says that ( all things are naked and opened before his eyes ). As I mentioned hitting my thumb with a hammer, do you realize that we can suffer pain that is much more hurtful than any physical pain we might feel? I once sit in my pickup with my oldest sister and cried like a baby telling her about the pain I felt. There is no way she completely understood all the pain I felt and why. As a matter of fact, I could not even put it all into words myself, still can’t. With that being said, The God that I’m eternally connect to, that lives within me knows exactly how I felt, what I had done, what had been done to me and, guess what, in time ( He ) gave me a comfort that probably not many people understand!

I often try to relate the connection that God has with us with a woman with a child within her. Together, that mother and child feel every move, every pain. In most case there is a love that grows that no man can completely understand. It’s like that mother and child become one in all things! When we become willing to allow God’s spirit to ( feed us ) instead of ( we trying to feed him ) them spiritual growth becomes very real. You see, a child within the mother is completely dependant on that mother for all the nurishment he or she gets. To the contrary, that spirit within us, when we are born again desires to feed us all the spiritual food we need that we might grow spiritually. A child becomes strong and healthy because of the food its mother feeds. We become spiritually strong and healthey because of our yielding to that power within us.

Now, let’s look at the next verse:

( Hebrews 4:14 )

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

I’ve already stated that I believe that the Apostle Paul wrote the book of Hebrews. He is speaking directly to the Hebrew people however, it also applies to every born again believer. In the Old Testament the Hebrew children could not grasp the concept of God being with them. Basically, every time the were faced with adversity that always went back to leaning on their flesh rather than simply trusting God to take care of them. I could use many examples of how they should have been and, how they should have simply based their faith on what God had told them but, I think this one best relates to how God desires for each of us to live our lives.

In ( Genesis 22 ) we read where God instructed Abraham to take Isaac his only son and offer him for a scrifice. Now, look at what ( Hebrews 11:17-19 ) has to say about that account.

( 17 ) By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ( 18 ) Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: ( 19 ) Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Can you see the picture here? This is exactly what God’s desire was for the whole nation of Israel to see and understand. Abraham never flinched! In his heart by faith he knew, he understood that even if he killed Isaac his only son, God would have to raise him from the dead. And that, simply because of what God promised.

What we far roo often forget is that we all live in a sin cursed world. We are not exempt from the pain and suffering that comes with our lives in this world. In reality, the only person you can completely trust is Jesus Christ. The flesh of other people, even our flesh will let us down. When we learn that, simply learn to expect flesh to fail but, to depend on the one that never will let us down then it will make our walk through this world a little easier. By faith we walk and not by sight. That was the heart felt belief of Abraham.

We must learn to ( expect the unexpected ). Peter told Jesus, I’ll never leave you, I’ll never forsake you! Jesus knew the very moment he said that, it was coming! I told my wife before I married her, ( you can lay your heart in my hand ) I’ll protect it! Guess what! She knew that at my very best, that’s hard to live up to as a man. It’s not that I don’t try and seek to live as a Godly man should and, to be all I am supposed to be for her but, I’m still in my flesh. She knows and understands that. She also understands that in my weakness, she can still find needed strength in Jesus Christ! The very fact that I seek to be that way is a blessing to her. That’s the same picture of each born again believer and Jesus Christ. As long as we are seeking to be what he desires then that is a blessing to him.

And last for this lesson:

( Hebrews 4:15 )

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

What are you facing today? What do you battle in your flesh? According to this verse, you are not facing or being tempted with anything that Jesus Christ hasn’t been tempted with. Consider this: Jesus Christ was tempted to murder, lie, steal, fornicate, have a homosexual lifestyle, be depressed, hate, reject the Father, be lazy, be a work far too much, get drunk, do drugs, commit suicide, yield to the desires of Satan himself, love this world, what else can you think of? Yet, he never yielded to any of those temptations. How did he overcome those temptation? He allowed the spirit man within him to guide his complete being!

As soon as we say that; he also understands when we are weak and why we fall. His blood was shed because he completely understood our weaknesses. He also loves us although we are weak. His desire is to take the things we face and, to help us to grow strong spiritually because of what we learn from our failures.

If we allow one of our weaknesses to be ( not being willing to learn ) if we are born again, then, whose fault is that?

I pray God’s Spirit will use this lesson to be an inspriation to all that read it!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7