“Paul underscores Christ's willingness to share in our weakness, when he writes, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses (astheneias), but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:15-16).” (Rev. Dr. Eugen J. Pentiuc)
“Christ, enthroned at the right hand of the Father, sits on a throne of grace rather than of judgment, granting mercy and grace to help in time of need.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Hebrews 4:16)
“…we acknowledge that the ultimate source of providence and enduring security is God. It is the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Who is our refuge and our help in time of need. In the book of Psalms we find numerous hymns that express the deepest levels of human anxiety and fear, juxtaposed with the eternal truth of God’s presence and protection.” (Archbishop Demetrios of America)
“Since Christ is the incarnate display of the wealth of the mercies of God, it is not surprising that his life on earth was a lavish exhibit of mercies to all kinds of people. Every kind of need and pain was touched by the mercies of Jesus in his few years on earth.” (John Piper)
“God has commanded us to love one another. If we love one another, then we must help each other out in times of need…Ministry simply defined is serving others. The fact of the matter is that every…Christian is called to ministry. That is, we are all called to serve…Our Lord identifies with those in need, and our response to them is an indication of our response to Him.” (Fr. Andrew Harmon, Gerald Largent)
“…when Christ our Lord first exorcises a man on the Sabbath (vss. 1:21-26), He sets a notable precedent for His ministry: He will place human needs ahead of pious practice.” (OCPM 8/24/2017)
“Our human needs will always take precedence over the godly rules…for in Jesus’ words “the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). As we read the four Gospels, we are struck by Jesus’ deep concern for those in need, whether we are suffering from hunger, ill health, fear, poverty, sadness, death, madness, or grief. Above all, Christ our God is the Friend of man.” (OCPM 12/15/2017)
“God attacks the complacency of religious people who protect themselves from the needs of others with the reality of their own needs.” (Pastor Timothy Keller)
“Our duty and concern must be how to please God and our fellow men; we should not be preoccupied with our needs, as God will take care of them. There is a silent spiritual agreement between God and man. He will look after us, while we will concentrate on how to live our lives according to His will." (St. Paisios the Athonite)
“Belonging and significance—these needs are common to all of us. As they provide us pictures of our souls, we see both our desire and our capacity for intimacy. We see both the joy that comes with affirmation and the fear of failure and rejection.” (Rich Hurst)