Proclaimer Blog
The ability of Jesus
Just reading through and studying Hebrews at the moment. It's amazing stuff. Moreover, Peter O'Brien's excellent Pillar commentary is a good guide through. I've got to the end of chapter 4 and O'Brien reminds that "Jesus is able to….." is a key idea in Hebrews. Nothing to do with preaching, perhaps, but good for our souls to reflect on the supreme and superb ability of Jesus:
- For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested (Heb 2.18)
- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin (Heb 4.15)
- He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness (Heb 5.2)
- Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them (Heb 7.25)
These are the direct references – there are other allusions and inferences about what Jesus is able to do as well (e.g. Hebrews 10.1, 11)
All references are from The Holy Bible : Holman Christian standard version. 2003 (Heb 7:25). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.