Heb.4:15 – For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities (weaknesses); but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
This verse has always been precious to me. I just had to put this verse in today’s blog from the KJV. It says that Jesus was touched with the things that have effected me. Jesus was touched, sumpatheo, this is really quite stunning. The author of Hebrews spent the opening chapters proving the deity of Christ. Now as he prepares to talk about the priesthood he is arguing for His humanity. Which is it, God or man? Well that’s the beauty of Jesus, He is both fully God and absolutely fully man. His humanity qualifies Him as my priest, He understands my pain and my temptation because He was there too. Because He hurts when I hurt He is able to fully minister to me in my time of need. Here is how Andrew Murray describes this truth.
“Holy brethren! partakers of a heavenly calling! would you be strong to hold fast your confession, and know in full the power of your Redeemer God to save; listen to-day to the voice of the Holy Spirit: Jesus was in all things tempted just as you are. And why? that He might be able to help you. His being able to sympathize has no other purpose than that He should be able to succor. Let the one word be the food of your faith; the other will be its fruit, your blessed experience. Just think of God giving His Son to come and pass through all the temptations that come to you, that He might be able to sympathize, and then lifting Him up to the throne of omnipotence that He might be able to succor, and say if you have not reason to trust Him fully. And let the faith of the blessed High Priest in His infinite and tender sympathy be the foundation of a friendship and a fellowship in which we are sure to experience that He is able to save completely.”
So whatever you are facing in life Jesus can relate, He suffered and felt the sting of suffering just like we all have. This is why it is easy to come to Him in our time of need, He knows the pain of disappointment and the struggle with temptation. Only He can strengthen us when we are under attack. My job is to rest in His love, His job is to help me in my time of need.
