Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives On The Promises Of GodSample

God Gets You

You and I have a lot in common. We have stumbled in life—in morality, honesty, integrity. We have done our best, only to trip and fall. Our finest efforts have left us flat on our backs. We have broken hearts, weary spirits, and fading vision. The distance between where we are and where we want to be is impassable. 

So what do we do? Where do we turn? I suggest we turn to one of the sweetest promises: “For our high priest [Jesus] is able to understand our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15 NCV).

God became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ. He was miraculously conceived, yet naturally delivered. He was born . . . yet born of a virgin. Had Jesus simply descended to earth in the form of a mighty being, you might respect Him but never want to draw near to him. After all, how could God understand what it means to be human? 

On the other hand, had Jesus been biologically conceived with two earthly parents, you might draw near to Him but you wouldn’t want to worship Him. After all, He would be no different than you and me. But if Jesus were both—God and man at the same time—then you have the best of both worlds. Neither His humanity nor deity compromised. He was fully human. He was fully divine. Because of the first, we draw near. Because of the latter, we worship.

Does this promise matter? It does if you ever wonder whether God understands you or listens to you. The one who hears your prayers understands your pain. He never shrugs or scoffs or dismisses physical struggle. He had a human body. He gets you.

He was so human He could touch people. So mighty He could heal them. So human He spoke with an accent. So heavenly He spoke with authority. So human He could blend in unnoticed for thirty years. So mighty He could change history and be unforgotten for 2,000 years. All man. Yet all God.

Yet if Jesus never sinned, how could He understand the full force of sin? Simple. He felt it more than we do. We give in . . . but He never did. He didn’t deserve to feel the shame, but He felt it. He didn’t deserve the humiliation, but He experienced it. He had never sinned yet was treated like a sinner. He became sin. All the guilt, remorse, and embarrassment—Jesus understands it.

Jesus is the only one who can help with your sin. Let him, won’t you? You cannot make it on your own. Jesus has the strength you do not have. He is, after all, your High Priest, able and willing to help in your time of need. So let him do what He came to do.

Respond

What does it mean to you to know that Jesus experienced all the challenges of your life? What human experiences did Jesus face that you relate to best? 

As your High Priest, Jesus acts on your behalf. What does it mean to have Jesus as your Advocate and Helper? What does it mean to face challenges with His help?

How has knowing that Jesus has freed you from sin impacted your life? How does your experience give you compassion for others weighted down by sin?