Have you ever experienced severe pain? Maybe it was physical; maybe it was more emotional? Pain is not just a nuisance or annoyance; it is limiting and exhausting. But, we focus our eyes on Jesus, as He knows your pain and gives you strength to endure it.
Today, I want to share encouragement for pain, sin, and other weakness in Hebrews 4:14-16. Here are the verses; focus especially on verse 15:
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 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.
16 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.
We have a sandwich in these verses. Verse 14 gives a command to hold fast our confession; verse 16 likewise gives a command: draw near with confidence. Verse 15, then, is in between and explains why we are to do both of those commands: because Jesus sympathizes with us in our weaknesses.
Did you know that? Jesus realizes how weak you are? How much pain you are facing? How and when you struggle with sin? And yet, He doesn’t leave any of His people. He draws near to us in our times of pain, weakness, and sin. He draws near with mercy and grace in these times of need! What a Savior! I hope that is an exciting thought for you like it is for me!
Jesus is with us in our troubles. Not only can He provide the remedy for all of our sins and sufferings, but He understands exactly what it is to experience these sins and sufferings. Imagine a doctor who has contracted a deadly disease, but has been cured. When he goes to a patient with that same disease, not only does the doctor have the remedy, but the doctor has a full understanding of what the patient is experiencing. All the more so with Jesus to us.
Being without sin, Jesus has a deeper connection with us in our moments of sin. He knows the full pain of sin. But being without sin, Jesus alone can provide mercy and grace in time of need. He is not hindered, hurt, or influenced by sin like we are. He is fully free to help us in our pain and weaknesses.
What is one thing from this study that is helpful for you? For me, it’s the encouragement to go to Jesus. Not just when life is going well and I’m pain free. But especially when I’m hurting, or sinning, or feeling weak. I’ve been having moments of weakness this week, and that has reminded me of this verse and this truth to go to Him. He sympathizes with me (and you) in our weakness. He has exactly the mercy and grace we need!