This is an article by my daughter Heather.
Often as we read the Scriptures a familiar verse can strike us with fresh insight. Recently this happened to me as I saw the significance of one verse in light of another. Together, they gave me a greater appreciation of the character of God.
The first verse is Hebrews 4:15: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin."
To know that Jesus was tempted in all points just like I am is a good thing to learn. He understands temptation, so He can be a sympathetic high priest. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that He was tempted like we are—but that is what the Scripture says.
In fact, He understands temptation better than we do, because He successfully resisted the tempter and never gave in.
Perhaps you have heard the illustration of two people out in the winds of a hurricane. The one blows over like a thin reed, while the other stands against the wind till it passes. Which of the two understands the force of the wind better? Temptation is like that wind—the one who resists knows its power to the end. Those who fall early don’t know how strong it can get.
To know that Jesus resisted, that He is sympathetic, and that He gives grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16) is a great encouragement. But sometimes we feel that He doesn’t really understand weakness—He doesn’t understand sin. We know God hates sin—but He doesn’t understand it like Jesus understands temptation.
This is where the other verse struck me. It is: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Yes, He does understand sin, for on the cross He became sin. He understands the awfulness of sin to its uttermost. The Father, with whom He had eternal communion, turned from Him. We know sin, for we are all sinners. But He became the essence of sin. He became all sin, of all people, from all time—mine included. He took its punishment. He knows.
In truth, we have a high priest who really understands, sympathizes, loves and intercedes for us both in temptation and sin. Each new sin we commit is one that made up His character while He was on the cross and caused His Father to turn from Him. It is already paid for. Let us immediately run to Him for forgiveness.
Often as we read the Scriptures a familiar verse can strike us with fresh insight. Recently this happened to me as I saw the significance of one verse in light of another. Together, they gave me a greater appreciation of the character of God.
The first verse is Hebrews 4:15: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin."
To know that Jesus was tempted in all points just like I am is a good thing to learn. He understands temptation, so He can be a sympathetic high priest. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that He was tempted like we are—but that is what the Scripture says.
In fact, He understands temptation better than we do, because He successfully resisted the tempter and never gave in.
Perhaps you have heard the illustration of two people out in the winds of a hurricane. The one blows over like a thin reed, while the other stands against the wind till it passes. Which of the two understands the force of the wind better? Temptation is like that wind—the one who resists knows its power to the end. Those who fall early don’t know how strong it can get.
To know that Jesus resisted, that He is sympathetic, and that He gives grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16) is a great encouragement. But sometimes we feel that He doesn’t really understand weakness—He doesn’t understand sin. We know God hates sin—but He doesn’t understand it like Jesus understands temptation.
This is where the other verse struck me. It is: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Yes, He does understand sin, for on the cross He became sin. He understands the awfulness of sin to its uttermost. The Father, with whom He had eternal communion, turned from Him. We know sin, for we are all sinners. But He became the essence of sin. He became all sin, of all people, from all time—mine included. He took its punishment. He knows.
In truth, we have a high priest who really understands, sympathizes, loves and intercedes for us both in temptation and sin. Each new sin we commit is one that made up His character while He was on the cross and caused His Father to turn from Him. It is already paid for. Let us immediately run to Him for forgiveness.
Oh the love that drew salvation’s plan
Oh the grace that brought it down to man
Oh the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary.
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