“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
August 21, 2023
We know sympathy when we see it. Or better yet, when we receive it. To refresh our memory: “Sympathy is a sharing of another’s sorrow or trouble.” As one writer has put it: “Sympathy…enables one to put himself in the place of his fellows and to understand them” (Emory Bogardus). Sympathy comes to us early in life, quite often through our mothers. Understanding care helped us through many a raging fever or a not so pleasant trip to the doctor. Blessed is the marriage that is rich is mutual sympathy. But to the point of Hebrews 4:15. Our great High Priest, Jesus Christ helps us by giving sympathy. That little word “for” sets it up. Jesus is not too remote from our needs. His suffering for us is not a mere “been there done that.” His experience matches ours. Jesus suffers together with the weakness of the one who is tested and brings active help. This was actually a revolutionary idea in the first century world. The philosophy of stoicism had many adherents, namely, seeking the inability to feel anything. What is hurting now at this moment? A fractured relationship? Chronic back pain? The powerful pull to indulge in bitterness and payback? Take this to the bank of Christ’s presence in heaven. He experienced temptation to the full. “He can now offer us mercy and grace to help us in time of need, for He knows what we are going through” (Charles Ryrie).
H
“God has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. You are as much alone with him as if you were the only being he had ever created.” C.S. Lewis