Compassionate Understanding 充满体恤的理解

1 view

Skip to first unread message

Dexu Xia

unread,

Oct 3, 2026, 10:36:00 PM (9 days ago) Oct 3

to dmcf_dailybread

[Our high priest] has been tempted . . . just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15

Today's Scripture Hebrews 4:14-16

Today's Insights The letter to the Hebrews explains what Jesus did for us, but to better appreciate that, it’s important to understand the system of sacrifice instituted in Leviticus (4:1–7:10). In Hebrews, the writer affirms the humanity of Christ who, though fully God, “had to be made like [humans], fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God” (2:17). The writer explains, “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood . . . why was there still need for another priest to come?” (7:11). Jesus’ humanity and His divine nature enable Him to “empathize” with us in “our weaknesses” (4:15) and to redeem us once for all from our sins. Because He empathizes with us, we can seek His help as we reach out to those around us. In the process, we point them to Christ, our once-for-all sacrifice.

Today's Devotion My father-in-law was a gunner in a bomber over Europe during World War II. His plane was shot down and he was captured, spending several months as a prisoner of war. Jim rarely spoke of the experience, but those who knew him before the war said that he’d been a happy-go-lucky young man with a beaming smile. His war experiences turned him into a moody, withdrawn person.

Trying to understand his experience, I read Masters of the Air, Donald Miller’s description of the air war over Europe. Miller helped me grasp the physical and psychological price paid by these airmen. His book increased my compassion for my father-in-law.

The writer of Hebrews wrote of our “great high priest” (4:14)—Jesus Himself—who did much more than merely gain understanding of our struggles. He lived among us, learning how we feel in every situation. Hebrews tells us, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (v. 15). Think of it! Jesus knows what we endure. He’s been tempted just as we are.

Learning to have a heart of compassion like Jesus is a great way to show His love to those who need Him. May God give us, by His Holy Spirit, an understanding heart that reaches out to others in love and mercy.

Reflect & Pray

Who do you struggle to have compassion for? How can you develop a more understanding heart?

Dear Father, please forgive me for being harsh with others. Teach me the grace of compassion so they might see Your love in me. By Bill Crowder

[我们的大祭司] 也曾……受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。——希伯来书 4:15

今日经文：希伯来书 4章14-16节

今日洞见：希伯来书阐明了耶稣为我们所做的一切；若要更深刻地领会这一点，理解利未记（4:1–7:10）中设立的献祭制度至关重要。希伯来书的作者肯定了基督的人性：尽管祂是完全的神，却“必须在各方面与[人类]相同，成为完全的人，好在事奉神的事上成为一位仁慈且忠信的大祭司”（2:17）。作者解释道：如果借着利未支派的祭司职任能达到完全，为何还需要另一位祭司兴起呢？（7:11）。耶稣兼具神性与人性，这使祂能对我们的软弱感同身受（4:15），并将我们从罪中一次永远地救赎出来。正因为祂体恤我们，我们可以寻求祂的帮助向周围的人伸出援手，引领他人归向基督，就是那位为我们作了一次永远祭物的救主。

今日灵修：二战期间，我的岳父曾在欧洲战场担任轰炸机上的机枪手。他的飞机被击落后他本人也被俘，过了数月的战俘生活。岳父吉姆很少谈及那段经历，但那些战前就认识他的人说，他曾经是个无忧无虑、笑容灿烂的年轻人。然而，战争的经历使他变成了一个情绪阴郁、性格孤僻的人。为了理解他的经历，我阅读了唐纳德·米勒所著的《空战大师》，书中描述了欧洲上空的空战情况。米勒的著作让我体会到那些飞行员所付出的身心代价，也加深了我对岳父的体恤之情。

希伯来书的作者谈到了我们那位“伟大的大祭司”（4:14），即耶稣基督本人。祂所做的远不止是理解我们的挣扎；祂曾生活在我们中间，亲身体会我们在各种境遇下的感受。希伯来书告诉我们：“我们的大祭司并非不能体恤我们的软弱，祂也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是祂没有犯罪”（15节）。试想一下！耶稣深知我们所承受的一切。祂曾像我们一样经历过各种试探。学习像耶稣那样怀有怜悯之心，是向那些需要祂的人彰显祂之爱的一种极好方式。愿神借着圣灵赐给我们一颗善解人意的心，使我们能以爱和怜悯去关怀他人。

反思与祷告你是否觉得对某些人难以产生怜悯之心？如何才能使你培养出一颗更善解人意的心？

亲爱的天父，请宽恕我对他人过于严苛。求祢赐给我怜悯他人的恩典，好让别人能从我身上看见祢的爱。