by Jerry Senn
"For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people." — Hebrews 2:17
“What does this verse mean? Jesus was like us in his birth, he is able to feel and heal our broken hearts. He understands the downtrodden, abused and overlooked. He sympathizes with the poor and needy. He is the friend of the lonely. He works alongside us when we’re overworked and overwhelmed. He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities. He bears every cross, shares every burden, feels every thorn. Go home and look at your baby pictures, those of your kids. Think for a moment, God became flesh and blood and lived among us, and he came into the world just the way we did, as a human baby.” (Author unknown).
If you are tired, he “will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28-30).
If “nobody really loves you,” he says, “I love you” (John 13:34).
If we say, “I can’t go on,” he says “My grace is sufficient!” (2 Corinth 12:9).
If we say, “I just can’t do it!,” he says “You can do all things through” me.
If we say “I’m not able!,” he says, “I’m able” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
If we say “I can’t manage,” he says, “I will supply all your needs” (Philip 4:9).
If we say “I’m afraid!,” he says, I didn’t give you “a spirit of fear” (2 Tim 1:7).
If we say, “I’m worried!,” he says, “Cast … your burdens” on me (Heb 13:5).
"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