Jesus understands...

“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

I must give credit for the following thoughts here.  Usually in this blog, the thoughts are my own however, after reading John Piper’s “50 Reasons Jesus Had to Die” and coming across ‘Reason 27: To Become a Sympathetic and Helpful Priest,’ I had to share his words directly.  The following thoughts are not my own, but Pastor and Theologian John Piper’s.  I pray that they will be an encouragement to you, reader.

“A lifetime of temptation climaxing in spectacular abuse and abandonment gave Jesus an unparalleled ability to sympathize with tempted and suffering people.  No one has ever suffered more.  No one has ever endured more abuse.  And no one ever deserved it less or had a greater right to fight back.  But the apostle Peter said, ‘He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth.  When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly’ (1 Pet. 2:22-23).  Therefore, the Bible says He is able ‘to sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15).”  (p.72, 50 Reasons Jesus Had to Die)


Take heart in knowing that you have a Lord and Savior in Jesus who knows and understands.  Go to Him in prayer.

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