Topical Bible: The Compassion and Sympathy of Christ: Necessary to his Priestly office

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The compassion and sympathy of Christ are central to His role as our High Priest, a role that is both profound and essential in the Christian faith. The priestly office of Christ is characterized by His ability to empathize with human frailty and to intercede on behalf of humanity before God. This aspect of His ministry is deeply rooted in Scripture and is vital for understanding His work of redemption and mediation.

Biblical Foundation

The Book of Hebrews provides a comprehensive understanding of Christ's priestly role, emphasizing His compassion and sympathy. Hebrews 4:15 states, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." This verse highlights the unique nature of Christ's priesthood—He is not distant or detached but intimately acquainted with the human condition.

Christ's ability to sympathize is not merely theoretical; it is grounded in His incarnation. By taking on human flesh, He experienced the full range of human emotions and trials. Hebrews 2:17 further elucidates this: "So He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people." His compassion is thus a direct result of His shared humanity, enabling Him to be a merciful and faithful mediator.

The Nature of Christ's Compassion

The Gospels provide numerous examples of Christ's compassion in action. In Matthew 9:36 , we read, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This compassion is not passive; it compels Him to act, to heal, to teach, and ultimately to lay down His life for the salvation of many.

Christ's sympathy is also evident in His interactions with individuals. In John 11:33-35 , at the tomb of Lazarus, "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 'Where have you laid him?' He asked. 'Come and see, Lord,' they answered. Jesus wept." His tears reflect a profound empathy for human sorrow and suffering, underscoring His genuine emotional engagement with those He came to save.

The Priestly Intercession of Christ

The compassion and sympathy of Christ are not only demonstrated in His earthly ministry but continue in His heavenly intercession. Romans 8:34 affirms, "Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." His ongoing intercession is an extension of His compassionate priesthood, where He continually advocates for believers, understanding their struggles and presenting their needs before the Father.

Implications for Believers

For believers, the compassion and sympathy of Christ provide immense comfort and assurance. Knowing that our High Priest is both willing and able to empathize with our weaknesses encourages us to approach the throne of grace with confidence. Hebrews 4:16 invites us, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

In summary, the compassion and sympathy of Christ are indispensable to His priestly office. They are the foundation of His ability to mediate between God and humanity, offering both understanding and atonement. Through His compassionate priesthood, believers find a source of hope, comfort, and strength in their spiritual journey.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 5:2,7
Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ's Priestly Office
... So the Lord Jesus is full of sympathy and tenderness ... he has left his passion, yet
not his compassion. ... him plead, not affection; but Christ intercedes feelingly ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

The Great High-Priest.
... as He was Son of God, and the compassion of One ... When He could not acquire the power
of sympathy by offering ... gloss of our own we ascribe to Christ's death what ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm

Jesus the Scapegoat.
... an innocent person, filled with love and compassion for all ... prompting men and inspiring
them to sympathy and imitation. ... It is through Christ they strive to come ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xxiv jesus the scapegoat.htm

Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
... those quivering lips, that look of compassion and forgiveness ... they said, "tell us."
But Christ remained silent ... Every feeling of sympathy or humanity had gone out ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 75 before annas and.htm

The Risen Lord's Charge and Gift
... to look upon the multitudes with compassion, to carry ... healing of His touch, and the
sympathy of His ... all believers of the office of representing Jesus Christ. ...
/.../the risen lords charge and.htm

Otho, Bishop of Bamberg.
... of His grace, testified his cordial sympathy with the lady ... heard this, he was moved
with compassion; but he ... understanding of the teaching which Christ gave the ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/otho bishop of bamberg.htm

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... And what sympathy and feeling would his arguments flow from ... I cannot lose a foot,
cannot lose a finger; why, saints are Christ's members, his members are ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

Letter Lxxv. (AD 404. )
... and could not have brought help, in his compassion, as you say ... which has been abolished,
have made Christ's apostle to ... of a deceiver, but with the sympathy of a ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxv a d 404.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... of God; therefore, God for the sake of Christ, seeketh for ... actual removing of our
guilt, is not the necessary and immediate result of his death; but ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Robert Nelson, his Friends, and Church Principles.
... as essential points of religion, doctrines necessary to salvation ... to that confidence
and sympathy in religious ... a sacrifice commemorative of Christ's oblation of ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter ii robert nelson his.htm