He knows

I find so much comfort in Hebrews 4:15-16.  It says that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way aswe are, yet without sin.  Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.”  Jesus lived a hard life on earth.  Yes, He is God, but He suffered and lived as a man.  There is no denying that.  The comfort is found here in Hebrews 4 to remind us that Jesus knows our struggles.

You might say, “of course He knows, He is God.”  That is true, yet He has an even more intimate knowledge of the struggles we face since He Himself faced them.  That brings us even more comfort.  For some reason we find comfort when we can talk with someone who has gone through the same difficulties we face.  We listen a little closer to them when we see they have come through the struggles.  Their words carry more weight in our hearts.  Hebrews 4 gives us that same encouragement.  We are reminded that Jesus experienced all that we experience, yet was without sin.  He had victory.  We must learn from that.

I once knew of a man who was on his third marriage and his “profession” as being a marriage counselor!  If I need marriage counseling, I want it from someone who has been through the struggles (as all marriages have) and comes out with a healthier marriage.  We can find such encouragement from the fact that Jesus was tempted, yet He did not sin.  He knows the way of victory.  He can show us the path of victory.  Will we follow Him?  Verse 16 reminds us we can come to His throne with boldness.  Not because of who we are, but because of who He is.  We can come boldly and find mercy from the One who understands our trials.  He will give us mercy and grace, at the proper time!  Jesus knows what we go through because He too went through those things.