Rest AssuredSample

He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. – Hebrews 5:2 ESV

Greek
περίκειται/perikeitai: surrounded by, clothed with, encompassed by

Why It Matters
O Holy Night is one of America’s best loved Christmas Carols. Its music is highly recognizable and its lyrics are powerful and inspiring. However, many of us are only familiar with the first and third verses of this famous song. The second verse and chorus are rich in theology and imagery, and are just as worthy of our song:

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;
Chorus:
He knows our need, To our weaknesses no stranger!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

It can be difficult to think of Jesus being perikeitai (surrounded by or clothed with) weakness, because weakness is sometimes connected to imperfection or error. But the imagery of our verse in Hebrews shows us that being beset with weakness is not a result of imperfection, nor does it cause sin. For Jesus the King, weakness is something that allows Him to be a gentle friend. The Greek word carries with it the imagery of a garment that a person would put on around their body. In fact, Jesus told us in Mark 9 that if someone caused a child to stumble in their faith, it would be better if they were perikeitai a millstone around their neck and thrown into the sea. Although Jesus was beset with weakness, it didn’t lead Him to sin; rather the result is that he can deal gently with the rest of us who are perikeitai with weakness. Now we can be brave in the face of our own imperfection and trust that our King will deal gently with us. In all our trials, born to be our friend!

Prayer
Father God, there are seasons in which I can easily identify that my contentment isn’t centered in the gospel. I confess that my heart needs to be reoriented to find contentment in your love. Thank you that you choose to deal gently with me despite my sin, and help me to find rest in what you say about me.

Application

Regardless of hardship, when will I do what God is asking me to do?