What comes to mind when you think about Jesus? My hunch is that you think of someone altogether different than you–the perfect and sinless Son of God. Maybe your mind immediately conjures up images of him hanging on the cross or rising from the grave or ascending to heaven or performing the miracles we read about in Scripture or any number of other things that you cannot relate to in any experiential way. And you wouldn’t be wrong to think in that direction–Jesus certainly is different from any other man or woman to have ever walked the earth.
But he also shares far more in common with you than probably comes to mind.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Most of us are quick to acknowledge Jesus’ deity; we immediately recount the qualities he shares with God that we are altogether unable to relate to. But we are equally quick to forget Jesus’ humanity; we overlook the fact that, by wrapping himself in flesh, he took on the totality of the human experience–yet without sin.
Jesus experienced fatigue, hunger, sorrow, frustration, want and need, and countless other “weaknesses” that we experience as humans. And lurking under each of these weaknesses is a temptation to distrust, disobey, and rebel against the Creator of the universe. In some way, Jesus experienced those temptations too–yet without sin.
The next time you find yourself facing similar temptations, come confidently to Jesus and cry out for help. Jesus gets it. He can relate. He’s been there–yet without sin. He does not stand far off, shaking his head in disbelief that you’re tempted yet again. He is near, able and willing to dispense grace and mercy in your moment of need.
VC Devotionals 