Reading Through The New Testament – October 19th, 2016 – Hebrews 4 Our gentle priest.

Here’s something I’ve learned about failures: they create in us a humility when we see others fail in the same way.

Weaknesses keep us from judging others.

One of the most amazing meetings I’ve ever witnessed was an AA meeting. There were former addicts helping current addicts.

There were people there that hadn’t had a drink for years, and people who hadn’t had a drink for days.

The ones that were sober the longest were helping and leading…

But from humility and understanding. They knew exactly what it was like. There wasn’t judgement, just the heart to help another person find sobriety like they had.

And it was effective.

There’s something about having an advocate that knows exactly what you’re going through. It’s so much more powerful than with someone that has no idea what the struggle is like.

The gift Hebrews 4 gives us is a picture of Jesus as an advocate that understands our weaknesses

“He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.” Hebrews 5:2

Jesus himself was subject to weakness. He knows what it is like to feel weak and to struggle. Jesus never gave in to sin in weakness, but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t know what it feels like to be weak and tempted.

So, he deals with us gently.

Like someone who has been there before.

What a beautiful picture of Jesus — of God. Like an AA meeting where He understands our weakness all the while inviting us to get better.

This is your high priest.

May you draw near to Jesus who is gentle with you and knows what it feels like to be weak. May you receive his strength and grace.