He Is Able

There is almost nothing older in the world than change. Things are changing. They have always changed. At some point in your life, you come to the point where you realize how much the world has changed. You are reminded of some story, image, or person you have not thought about in a while that you imagine as current. Then you realize how much things, including you, have changed and aged.

At some point in your life you think, almost in a panic, “Wow, there is almost no one ahead of me.” When you are young, you may feel like you don’t have as much freedom as you would like, but there is some safety. You think, “There are a lot of people older than me, several generations, and they know what is up. I may not like it, but at least they know a thing or two.” Then, after a while you realize there aren’t that many generations ahead of you.

In Hebrews, God encourages us to not lose our nerve. Hebrews 2:1 and 3 say, “Give the more earnest heed to the things which you have heard…How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Then, speaking about Jesus Christ in terms of the temptation for us to lose our nerve as believers, verse 18 says, “For in that he [Jesus] himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” He is able to aid, relieve, and help them that are tempted. In a day when you are tempted to lose nerve, Jesus is able.

That word able is where we get the word dynamite. It implies power. When I was a kid, there was a man on the Bill Rice Ranch named Mr. Dennis who worked on maintenance and construction. Back in those days, in order to build things he would often use dynamite to clear things out of the way. Jesus is that power. He Himself suffered being tempted. He is able to aid and help those who are tempted and tested. Every day is a test, but Jesus is able.

Why? First, He is able because He is higher and better. He is better than the prophets who foretold him and the angels who announced His coming. The Bible says, “Who in sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.” He goes on to tell us that this Lord Jesus, God the Son, is Creator and Savior. He purged our sins by Himself. He Himself suffered like we have suffered. He Himself took part in the flesh and frailty of humankind. But Jesus is able because He is higher and better than the prophets and angels. Everything He did on our behalf, He did by Himself. Nobody helped Him. He is perfectly sufficient. He is able.

Second, He is able because He was made lower. The Bible says much about the work of the Lord Jesus. Hebrews 2:9 says, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” So, this God incarnate, the Son who by Himself purged our sins, was for our sakes made a little lower than the angels. Verse 14 says, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he [Jesus] himself likewise took part of the same.” He took part in human flesh. He is God in a body. Verse 18 says, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” So, He is higher and better, and He was made lower.

That is remarkable. Most people are either capable or caring. They are rarely both at the same time. In September, President Trump made a state visit to Windsor Castle. The pomp and pageantry there is amazing. There was a long hall and banquet table, armor, swords, and people make toasts and speeches. When you look at all that representation of power, you think, “What power!” But does King Charles or President Trump know you and could they comprehend your life if they read about it or met you? On the other hand, you know people who care about you deeply, and they are just as powerless as you are. Maybe a grandparent or child loves you, but at the end of the day, they are just as unable as you are.

Jesus is able because He is better, and He was made lower. Ultimately, He is able to aid, relieve, and help. He knows our need because He has taken on human form, and He is able to do something about our need because He is God. That is why Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus,” not looking to our trouble or strength. Everything over your head today is under Jesus’ feet. Hebrews 2:8 tells us there was left nothing that was not put under His feet. I Corinthians 15:25 and 27 and Ephesians 1:22 say the same thing. There are so many things that are over my head and beyond my abilities, capacities, and strength, but none of those things are over Jesus. Everything over my head is under His feet.

Today, do not lose your nerve in the changing world. Those in whom we rely and find our strength move on. They leave this world, but this world was made by the Son of God who came in human form, died a death that I deserve, and provides for us a life worth living. He is better, was made lower, and is able for anything you face today. May God help us to look to Him for what we need.