Christ, Our Sympathetic High Priest

Christ, Our Sympathetic High Priest

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

‘I feel your pain.’ We often hear this remark in conversation. It is an expression of sympathy for others. We say it to let them know that we are not merely aware that they are suffering but that we identify with them, are sympathetic to them, and perhaps even empathetic with them. Then it means not just, ‘I understand that you hurt, but, I have been where you are.’ This really more closely approaches the meaning of our text today. Christ, Who is Our High Priest, is not an ‘arm-chair’ sufferer. He does not merely speak about our trials and temptations without any personal experience. Our text declares, ‘For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.’ Christ has been where we are. He has endured what we endure. He has faced what we face. The difference is, that He has not sinned in the midst of those temptations. What He has done, is provide His Own Self, as the Perfect Sacrifice, and ‘the Blood of Jesus Christ…cleanses us from all sin.’ Our Great High Priest has offered Himself. His Sacrifice has satisfied the Law of God. Therefore, even when we do fail in those temptations, we still have the resort of the cleansing Blood of Christ. Are you tempted today, Child of God? Christ feels your pain. Have you failed? Christ is Your Great High Priest. Come and confess to Him.  He will hear you, and cleanse you by the Power of His Blood. He is an utterly Sympathetic High Priest. He has the remedy for all your failures.  He understands. He understands.

Our most Gracious, Sympathetic Savior,
we praise Your Holy Name,
and thank You that You so thoroughly sympathize with us in our weakness,
and cleanse us from every earth-gathered stain.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice