He Sympathizes

“Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens – Jesus the Son of God – let us hold fast to the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.” (Hebrews 4:14-16 CSB)

We all understand what it means to struggle. All of us have had enough problems in life to deal with that have created varying degrees of stress, anxiety, worry, doubt, and even exasperation. Some of this comes from the relationships we have with others, but to be honest some of it simply the result of our own sins.

Whatever the source of our struggle, the great advantage we have as Christians is that we have a heavenly advocate, a Great High Priest we can go to. And we can go to Him anytime and with boldness.

We can go to Jesus in boldness because as our Great High Priest He represents us before the Father. His blood shed on the cross “covers” our sins, so that he brings us before the Father as pure as fresh snow. He stands as our Advocate.

We can go to Jesus in boldness also because we know that He sympathizes with our weaknesses. Jesus Himself has been tempted and tested in every way we have. He understands human frailty. He overcame all temptation and testing. He was sinless. But because He experienced all of this as one of us, we know that He understands and sympathizes with us, and He will be merciful and gracious to us in our time of need.

Because Jesus has thus committed to us, we need then to remain firm in our commitments to Him.

Lord, May we truly be faithful and true to You this and each day in all ways. Amen.