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[the Apostle refers to what is apprehended by faith, for he does not speak of what Christ is in himself, but shows what he is to us. By the likeness, he understands that of nature, by which he intimates that Christ has put on our flesh, and also its feelings or affections, so that he not only paroled himself to be real man, but had also been taught by his own experience to help the miserable; not because the Son of God had need of such a training, but because we could not otherwise comprehend the care he feels for our salvation. Whenever, then, we labor under the infirmities of our flesh, let us remember that the son of God experienced the same, in order that he might by his power raise us up, so that we may not be overwhelmed by them. But it may be asked, What does he mean by infirmities? The word is indeed taken in various senses. Some understand by it cold and heat; hunger and other wants of the body; and also contempt, poverty, and other things of this mind, as in many places in the writings of Paul, especially in 2 Corinthians 12:10. But their opinion is more correct who include, together with external evils, the feelings of the souls such as fear, sorrow, the dread of death, and similar things.] - John Calvin, Commentary on Hebrews 4:15.
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The gospel of Matthew closes on a wonderful promise made by Jesus to the disciples that He would be with them unto the end of the world. This promise was not just to the disciples He spoke to at the time, but to all true believers. The disciples were spiritual picture of all true believers and 2 Timothy 3:16,17 tells us all scripture was written for us today so we know that the promise that Jesus would be with us always is for us today as well. Knowing this provides us with much needed armour in our daily spiritual warfare. Our risen Saviour promised to be with His people to the end of the world. The LORD has reassured us in His Word that He is true to that His presence will abide with us until the end of time:
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 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: 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: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 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. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." (Matthew 25:31-46).
We know that Jesus is true to His Words; He is not only the Word but the very essence of truth, Faitful and True is His name (Revelation 19:11). So when Jesus tells us He will always be with us we know that He really is the only one who can make such a promise. Some may say "I love you always" to another and often this is based on the emotion of the moment; always is a word that should be used with care when addressing others, but as far as the spiritual aspect goes we know for sure we can always take comfort in our LORD.
So we see that when relating to Jesus, the word "always" is very important. All true believers will ultimately triumph over evil when Jesus comes again in the clouds of glory:
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
Until that time, while here on earth, we are to take up our cross and be sorrowful, yet always rejoicing for the measure of grace given us:
"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." (2 Corinthians 6:10).
Just as Christ is always there for us, so too should we look to His example as Christians (Christ-like) and always seek good for one another and all people:
"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people." (1 Thessalonians 5:11-15) nas.
Note that Paul first mentions "one another" and secondly "all people". By comparing scripture with scripture and looking at Galatians 6:10, it is evident that the "one another" first referred to are the beloved brothers and sisters in the LORD. Charity (love) begins at home and as Christians we are all members of the eternal church or Christ's body; therefore, we must first stress the things mentioned here in the Word: building up, promoting peace, encouraging, being patient and seeking good. These things we must do always. Also, when we pray we should often give thanks to the LORD for other Christians; namely, for the faith of Christ which has been given to them; and for the love which abounds toward one another:
"Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (2 Thessalonians 1:2,3).
As we approach the new week, let us take comfort and joy in the fact that Jesus is always there for His children. Let us continue to repent and come before our High Priest with fear, trembling and a brokenheart. Let us adore and exalt Jesus forever as He is with us always making intercession for them to whom the Father draws to Him, those He will raise up to be with Him in Heaven. Amen.
"but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:24-26).
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