Arabic Bible Help: Study2-p8

IF WE ARE TO UNDERSTAND our next study, it is essential to appreciate the utter perfection of Jesus described in this study. He has to be guiltless Himself if He is to bear the guilt of others (Study 4).

There is every reason to believe that Jesus is alive today (Study 5). From Heaven He continues to invite sinners to Himself. But when we are overwhelmed with guilt, we may feel reluctant to come to Jesus for fear that One so holy will reject us. The compassion of Jesus for sinners, seen in this study, should reassure us of His willingness to accept us and forgive the past.

The perfection of Jesus does not prevent Him loving sinners, it is the reason why He loves sinners. As the perfect man He loves His enemies when we, in our imperfection, find it impossible to do so. By nature we are His enemies, but He loves us and is willing to receive us.

In addition, Jesus has the function of a priest (page 10). Priests needed to sympathise with sinners as they pleaded with God on their behalf. Jesus was tempted (without sinning) so that He might be able to sympathetically represent us to God, His Father.

SUMMARY: Though Jesus loved sinners, He did not love sin. We need to admit our sin and forsake it to enjoy salvation and Heaven. There is no unwashed guilt and no sinful practices in Heaven. Those who were conscious of sinful failure were drawn to Jesus. This is because they knew He would not reject them. They also sensed that He had the authority to forgive sin.

The perfection of Jesus may also be seen in His outstanding courage. He was afraid of nobody and nothing, including demons. His rebukes for hypocrisy unnerved those who opposed Him. And demons were terrified of Him; recognising His divinity and power when others did not.