Our High Priest Was Tempted
Hebrews 4:15 reads, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (ESV) I used to read that verse and think, “Yup, I’m a low life sinner because I get tempted, and I sin while Christ is perfect because he was tempted and did not sin.” Yet, that is not what this verse teaches. It says we have a high priest (Jesus) who sympathizes with our weaknesses. Part b of verse fifteen tells us He can sympathize with us because he was tempted in all things just like we are. The Greek word for sympathize means to share in the suffering. It is also in the active voice meaning the action does not stop. Christ continues to share in our suffering. He doesn’t just walk beside us once as we deal with the temptation, He continues to walk with us every step of our life. What a comfort to know that Jesus Christ, my High Priest, shares in my suffering as I fight temptation. He has been there before me, suffers with me, and is ready to forgive me if I fail (1 John 1:8-9). What an awesome God!