Good Help From the Good Shepherd

Hebrews 2:16-18 (KJV)
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Good Help From the Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jesus is our Good Shepherd. One of the roles of our Good Shepherd is to help His sheep when they are in distress. When the sheep start heading in the wrong direction, the Good Shepherd is there to nudge them on to the right path. If they are threatened by predators, the Good Shepherd defends and protects them from harm. Should they fall into a ditch, the Good Shepherd lifts them up and places them where they are safe. These are acts where the Good Shepherd helps those He is responsible for. Jesus’ relationship to us is like this and more.

The verses above describe how Jesus chose to become like us. He took on our frail and vulnerable state as matter in a fallen world, so “that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” He even “suffered being tempted.” Being so intimately aware of our vulnerabilities, Jesus is a High Priest like none other, because He not only sees our problems and sorrows, but He is also able to save us. He helps us in our daily lives, and He has helped us by saving us from an eternity in Hell.
The word “succour” in verse 18 means to “help, aid or relieve.” Jesus was tempted. He suffered. He died and was resurrected so that He would know our sorrows and be our help in all things. He is our aid and relief.

So to be like Jesus, means that we must likewise succour those who suffer. We must come to their aid and offer relief. Some do this professionally as doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. Christians are called to be helpful to others at all times. In Matthew 25: 34-40 (KJV) Jesus says:

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Go and do likewise. Not tomorrow. Today.

Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

Verneda

Twitter handle: @vlights