"For we 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. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."Hebrews 4:15-16
I confide in people who I feel best understand my situation, as I'm sure you do. For example, I can't imagine discussing personal financial struggles with a billionaire. How could such an individual possibly relate to my situation?
It is easy to think similarly of Jesus. As the only one to live a perfect life, who enjoys a special relationship with God, how can He relate to my situation? Except that He truly does. To "sympathize with our weaknesses" means He fully understands and relates to our human condition and situation. In particular, He knows our struggle with temptation. He knows the reality of it, and how to effectively combat it.
Here is where biblical truth makes all the difference. A confused view that Jesus is actually our Father (as much of Christianity believes) is to believe in a Jesus who cannot possibly relate to our human condition. If He is in reality Almighty God, then He is immune to all such human temptations and weaknesses. He is like a billionaire that a poverty-stricken individual seeks to relate to.
The flip side of the coin is that it can be troubling to think that Jesus actually struggled with things like greed, lust, anger, and envy. However, being tempted is not the same as succumbing to it. He can relate to our struggle but yet He was victorious over it, and can help us be victorious as well. That's a Jesus I can relate to.
What a joy it is to know that we have One pleading our case before our heavenly Father who well understands whatever struggle or temptation we face today. There is nothing we will face that He does not understand, and that He is not able to help us with.
Let's "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need".
