HOW JESUS DEALT WITH OTHERS' WEAKNESSES
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· 12 viewsHow Jesus dealt with others' weaknesses
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INTRODUCTION
Elders and preachers spend much time dealing with others’ weaknesses...
Elders and preachers spend much time dealing with others’ weaknesses...
Hebrews 2:17 (ASV)
17 Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
15 For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
2 who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity;
Jesus knew how to deal with the weaknesses of others:
Jesus knew how to deal with the weaknesses of others:
It was His obligation (Heb. 2:17)
“It behooved him…”
ὀφείλω (o/phei/lō) indicates an obligation – it is an obligation that grew out of the position which Jesus held as the helper of His people - to be like His brethren in every respect.
“it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that…”
“he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,”
Christ could not be our High Priest until He was born of flesh, walked and endured the hardships of human life, and then die the death of the cross
He thus became our High Priest in heaven. This He did…
“to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
Jesus, as High Priest, was able to make “propitiation” or “reconciliation” (KJV) for our sins. This was the main purpose of His priesthood.
“Propitiation” comes from ἱλάσκομαι (hi/las/ko/mai) and means to appease, or to satisfy.
We are weakened because of sin and need a “merciful and faithful high priest”
Jesus knew how to deal with the weaknesses of others because He was sympathetic (Heb. 4:15; 5:2)
“For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;”
From this verse, it would seem, that some thought that Christ, as High Priest, was unapproachable.
But the Hebrews writer informs them that the Great High Priest is quite approachable and of a sympathetic nature. Jesus is the one that can be “touched with the feelings [συμπαθέω - sum/pa/theō] of our infirmities.”
Thus, our High Priest is not cold and unfeeling. This would be of great encouragement to those who were suffering as Christians.
The reason that Jesus is greatly qualified to sympathize with us in our afflictions is that He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Jesus was subjected to all kinds of trials and is, therefore, able to sympathize with us and to aid us.
He was tempted in the literal sense, He was persecuted, He was poor, He was despised, He suffered bodily pain, and He suffered sorrow, and even suffered a cruel death.
Compare...
16 For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Jesus endured temptation “without sin.”
Notice...
9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
26 For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
The great importance of Jesus doing all this without sin will be discussed in great detail in chapter 7-9 of Hebrews.
Jesus knew how to deal with the weaknesses of others because He was Gentle (Heb. 5:2)
The high priest was taken from among men in order that he might “bear gently” or “have compassion” (KJV) with those to whom he serves.
These would bear gently with the “ignorant,” i.e., those who sinned unintentionally, for these sacrifices could be made (Num. 15:22-29).
But this was not true of those who sinned in open rebellion; these were put to death (Num. 15:30-31; Deut. 17:6).
It was up to the high priest to decide whether a sin was one of ignorance or one of rebellion. The high priest could be patient with the people because he too might be involved in the sin of ignorance.
This is why Jesus is perfectly qualified to deal with weaknesses - He is a Better High Priest.
DISCUSSION
There a three types of weaknesses man endures.
There a three types of weaknesses man endures.
Emotional
Emotional
Sadness
For others
For self
Worry
People worry about things that have already happened
People worry about things that will inevitably happen
People worry about things that will never happen
Depression
This where sadness and worry can lead
Depression hurts yourself and others
Physical
Physical
Sickness
Cancer
Heart disease, etc.
Infirmities
Old age
Blindness, lameness, etc.
Spiritual
Spiritual
Lack of faith
Lukewarmness
False teaching
Jesus dealt with others’ weaknesses through:
Jesus dealt with others’ weaknesses through:
Compassion and Love
Compassion and Love
Boldness in His Teaching and Preaching
Boldness in His Teaching and Preaching
Action
Action
Examples
Examples
Jesus dealt with emotional weakness through compassion and teaching.
Jesus dealt with emotional weakness through compassion and teaching.
John 11
The death of Lazarus
“Jesus wept” (11:35) – compassion
Jesus taught He was the resurrection and that they needed to trust in Him
We need to teach others also to trust in Jesus
12 Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
Jesus spoke words of compassion and words of encouragement
Then Jesus took the necessary action
For us today? - words and action
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? 26 Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? 28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
“Therefore” ...
Worry is unnecessary
Because our heavenly Father knows our needs (v. 32)
God is sensitive to our needs - so why worry?
Worry is cruel
26 Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they?
It is cruel to think that God would care more for birds than He would for us
Any father would feed his children before he would feed the birds
Worry is prohibited
“Be not anxious” (vs. 25, 31, 34) - take no thought (KJV), do not worry (NKJ)
The same Lord that made belief and baptism essential to salvation (Mk. 16:16), is the same Lord who said don't worry!
Worry is futile
27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?
Worry is like a rocking chair - it gives you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere
Worry is heathenish
“For after all these things the Greeks seek …” (v. 32)
Jesus is saying that worry is not characteristic of a child of God
Worry shows a lack of faith
“O ye of little faith” (v. 30)
Human reasoning produces doubt, doubt produces fear, and fear produces anxiety
1 Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.
Notice how Jesus dealt with the physically weak.
Notice how Jesus dealt with the physically weak.
32 And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way. 33 And the disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so many loaves in a desert place as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus said unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few small fishes. 35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground; 36 and he took the seven loaves and the fishes; and he gave thanks and brake, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 37 And they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken pieces, seven baskets full. 38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And he sent away the multitudes, and entered into the boat, and came into the borders of Magadan.
Compassionately fed the hungry
15 If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.
14 And he came forth, and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick.
Compassionately healed the sick
13 Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise. 14 Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Jesus dealt with the spiritually weak (the lukewarm and false teacher) with compassion and teaching.
Jesus dealt with the spiritually weak (the lukewarm and false teacher) with compassion and teaching.
In dealing with the spiritual weaknesses of others Jesus taught with authority.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching: 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
The scribes based their teachings on what various respected Rabbis had said (often cited a chain of Rabbis)
Many today base their authority on what some man says, or on some book other than the Bible
Jesus strongly appealed to Scripture
42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust. 45 And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
25 And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Jesus strongly emphasized truth…
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham.
45 But because I say the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?
Our authority derives not from ourselves…
23 O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.
Our authority comes from God’s word
17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.
We must emphasize God’s word, and be loyal to truth
Jesus had low regard for human tradition…
9 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
Even traditions that were essentially harmless were not to be bound as law
Traditions that conflicted with Scripture were to be abandoned.
We are duty-bound to teach the truth regardless of human tradition
We must resist temptation to compromise the truth for the sake of tradition.
In dealing with the spiritual weaknesses of others Jesus accompanied his teaching with action
1 The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
For example…
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.
He helped people as well as teaching them
He practiced what He preached (e.g., praying for His persecutors)
44 but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
34 And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.
If we would teach successfully, then we, too, must accompany our words with action
Don’t be "so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good"
Our spirituality must be shown in action
Show that we care
In dealing with the spiritual weaknesses of others Jesus’ teaching was motivated by compassion.
34 And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
It is interesting that Jesus’ response to these shepherd-less sheep was to TEACH them!
People today are wandering every which direction trying to find meaning/purpose/hope – we need to show compassion by teaching them
Let us have compassion on them and TEACH them!
In dealing with the spiritual weaknesses of others Jesus’ teaching was balanced.
God’s love & care - e.g., parables of lost sheep, lost coin, lost son (Lk. 15)
God’s judgment against sinners
Parable of unforgiving servant (Mt. 18:21-35)
Parable of the talents (Mt. 25:14-30)
Like Jesus, Paul preached "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27)
Likewise, we must resist the temptation to go to extremes one way or the other
We must be balanced in our teaching!
We must also avoid hobby preaching or teaching
In dealing with the spiritual weaknesses of others Jesus’ teachings corresponded with the ability of his listeners to comprehend
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Paul compared it to “milk” and “meat”
2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able;
As we would not feed steak and potatoes to a new-born, so Jesus (& Paul) taught what their listeners were capable of understanding
We, likewise, need to start with people where they are, and lead them to where they need to be.
In dealing with the spiritual weaknesses of others Jesus Addressed Error
There are many misconceptions and false views in our day as to the kind of person Jesus really was.
It is a popular view to consider Jesus as very excepting, tolerant, and non-judgmental. Our Lord is portrayed by many as being very non-confrontational—not wanting to argue with anyone and accepting just about all men regardless of their conduct, doctrines, and attitudes.
Friends, we must not allow the world to develop our understanding of Jesus. The Bible must be our authority in creating our perception of our Lord. We must be as the noble Bereans…
11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.
One of the attributes of the Father’s Son that many have difficulty with is His boldness in addressing and correcting error.
Many find it hard to believe that Jesus would actually confront people and tell they are wrong—and then tell them the correct view.
This type of action goes against our current culture. Most of the world has a pluralistic attitude, sometimes referred to as multiculturalism.
This is the view that all cultures regardless of their moral and religious views are equally valid. The world (as a whole) believes that Jesus was not judgmental of others’ views and practices and would never embarrass anyone suggesting they had the wrong view on a matter.
But this is not the Jesus of the Bible. Jesus corrected error, engaged in debate, and participated in logical argument setting forth truth and countering error.
Let us now consider one biblical example of Jesus confronting error.
In Matthew 15, Jesus is confronted by the scribes and Pharisees making accusation against His disciples…
2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Notice that the scribes and Pharisees did not accuse the disciples of transgressing God’s law, but “the tradition of the elders.”
They were criticizing Jesus and His disciples for what they believed to be wrongdoing.
How did Jesus respond to this accusation?
Did Jesus say, “Look fellows, let’s not argue—religion is not about arguing. Let me just give you a big hug and we will agree to disagree.”
Neither did Jesus ignore it
These are not the approaches that our Lord took in any shape, form, or fashion.
Rather, Jesus comes back at them quickly and boldly…
3 And he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
Jesus says, You are the one transgressing, and you are doing so by placing your traditions above the teachings of God.
In the next few verses Jesus will show them where they have violated actual inspired teachings—not His disciples.
The example Jesus uses is they thought they could use their money for items to the neglect of the parents and called it a “gift” (Matthew 15:5), or “Corban” (Mark 7:11) - that is, dedicated to God.
They thought this exempted them from the caring of their parents. They were violating, though, one of the Ten Commandments, “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12), by their tradition of “Corban.”
Jesus is saying, How dare you make up a law that clearly goes against biblical teaching!
Our Lord’s stern condemnation of their error is clearly seen in the next verses…
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
Does this sound like a man who did not want to be judgmental or one who was multicultural in attitude? Not on your life!
12 Then came the disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit.
The examples of Jesus confronting error could be greatly multiplied, but this one example is enough to prove that the view many have toward Jesus (excepting and tolerant of most things) is clearly false.
Friends, doctrine matters to Jesus.
The often-held view that it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere is foreign to the Bible.
Jesus boldly and courageously addressed and corrected error.
If we want to be like Jesus we will go and do likewise.
CONCLUSION
Jesus dealt with the weakness others through compassion, action, and teaching
Jesus dealt with the weakness others through compassion, action, and teaching
Go and do thou likewise...
Go and do thou likewise...