PowerPoint - Mar. 13, 2009

March 13, 2009

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

--Hebrews 4:14-15

Yesterday we talked about Jesus’ tears in John 11:35 revealing his humanity. Today we’ll see how his tears represent his sympathy as our High Priest.

When you read the story of the death of Lazarus (John 11:1-45), you have to ask the question, “Why did Jesus delay in coming to see Lazarus?”

After all, he had gotten word two days earlier that Lazarus was deathly ill. Why did he wait for two days to go see him? Did he not care?

Yes, Jesus cared. The Bible says he loved Lazarus. Then why did Jesus delay?

There are times when we pray and God doesn’t come through the way we expect him to come through. The healing doesn’t come. The answers don’t come. We cry, we pray, the tears flow, and we wonder, does God care about me?

Yes, he does! The same one who wept at the grave of Lazarus weeps for you. His tears represent his sympathy to us as our Savior and High Priest.

And not only that, Jesus went to the cross for you. He died for your sins. He’s prepared a place in heaven for you. What more could he have done to show his love and care for you?

In his own time and his own way, God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Whether you’re well or whether you’re sick… whether the answer comes as we expect it or not.

Yes, Jesus is your sympathetic High Priest! So trust in his love and care for you today.

JESUS’ TEARS REPRESENT HIS SYMPATHY
FOR US AS OUR SAVIOR AND HIGH PRIEST.