In His Name Devotionals
YOUR HIGH PRIEST
In His Name Devotionals
YOUR HIGH PRIEST
“Assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 1:16-18)
In his letters to Timothy, Paul counseled and encouraged his young associate about many things - his health, his critics, his moral and spiritual warfare, and so on. His counsel is well summed up in these words: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David” (2 Tim. 2:8).
Like Timothy, you need to be reminded of Christ’s humanity, especially when life becomes particularly tough. Then you can pray, “Lord, You know what You endured while You were here. I’m going through a little of it now.” As a child of God, you can be sure that He knows and will encourage you.
Jesus came not only to save you but also to sympathize with you. He experienced what you experience, so He could be a “merciful and faithful high priest.” After all, you “...do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
Jesus felt everything you will ever feel—and so much more. Most will never know the full degree of any given temptation because man usually succumbs long before reaching it. But since Jesus never sinned, He took the full measure of every temptation.
Yours is not a cosmic God, Who is powerful and holy but indifferent. He knows when you hurt, where you are weak, and how you are tempted. Jesus is not only your Savior, but your loving Lord who sympathizes with you. Rejoice in the greatness of His love for you.
