“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  (Hebrews 4:15)

This is a passage which clearly defines Christ’s capacity to experience emotions and to identify with my (and all people’s — even wives’) emotions.

The implications of this verse offer a life that is richer than most men can imagine. It gives us an example that is essential; one which, if neglected, will result in a lack of spiritual maturity.

If God requires that I become more and more Christ-like, and I know that God’s ways and thinking are not a part of my ways or thinking, (Is. 55:8) then my mind is going to have to be expanded way past its natural capacity. Emotions, for example, are commonly reflected on by men as a nuisance, as untrustworthy and unreliable, and reserved as an exclusive source of disturbance to women.

This Scripture, however, serves to dispel that contrary thinking. It exhibits some very important characteristics about Christ and of what Christ-likeness definitely consists. It clearly provides an example of who He is. I think Jesus elevates emotions to a very high status, and He gives them great significance for men and women. Let us study the words and phrases in this passage that further define Jesus the Christ.

An High Priest (Greek. archiereus, ar-khee-er-yuce) high priest, chief priest, chief of the priests

Touched With The Feelings (Greek. sumpatheo, soom-path-eh-o) to feel sympathy, to commiserate, have compassion (compassion is a French word meaning, com: with—passion: emotions) be touched over the feelings of

Infirmities (Greek. asthoneia, as-then-i-ah) feebleness (of body and mind), by implication malady, moral frailty-disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness

In All Points (Greek. Pas, pas) according to all things

Tempted (Greek. Peirazo, pi-rad-zo) to test, assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt, try

Without (Greek. Choris, kho-rece) separately, apart from, without

Speaking of priests, keep in mind that a major part of a priest’s duty is to oversee and represent the people he is responsible for before God. That being the case, the duty of the Chief of all the priests (Jesus) is to oversee and represent all of humanity before God. So, a paraphrase of this verse would look like this to me:

God has blessed me with a chief of all the priests; He has absolute compassion (is with emotions) for me. He is deeply touched by the feelings that I experience. Being Christ, He realizes that my feebleness of body and mind keeps me from being spiritually mature. He wants me to be more and more like Him in that when He experienced temptations and tests, He kept Himself separated and apart from sin.