Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

They say misery loves company, and I suppose that has shown itself true in my experience a number of times. There is something inside of each of us that desires folks to be able to feel the pains that we feel, to experience the grief that we experience. No, it's not that we want people to hurt. We just sometimes need to know that we are not alone in our pain… and God provided. I know the theological implications regarding the Incarnation of Jesus (His coming in the flesh). But the application of the Incarnation used in Hebrews 4 is one that speaks to me in a special way. It reminds me that when I am at my lowest, when I am the most hard pressed, when I feel the most alone, God has been, is, and always will be able to sympathize with my infirmities. He came to this earth, subjected Himself to the frailties, and experienced our death. Yet He never gave in to the depravity to which you and I fall prey. He was tempted on all points as we are, yet without sin. We do not serve a God who has some vague idea about what it means to feel pain. Our God is one that is intimately acquainted with our grief. He is the one who bore our sins in His own body and yet remained undefiled by its taint. He knows what it feels like to be tired, hungry, scared, and sad. He knows how His heart ached at the tomb of Lazarus, so He can experience our loss. He knows how seductive the temptations to sin can be, yet He forsook His own will for the will of His Father. Jesus Christ knows what it means to be truly human. He has felt everything that you do and more. And I find great comfort in that. The author of Hebrews reminds us that this is a God that we can rally behind. The writer encourages each of us to hold fast our confession, our testimony of the ministry of the Son of God. He says, "Sure you'll be tempted to pack it in. Look to Jesus. Remember that He remembers those pains, but He refused to give up. He did this for you." It is foolish to think that the Christ of God would lay aside all of His heavenly garments to experience my personal frailties, yet this is exactly what happened. Why? Because He loved you too much to let you go! Knowing that we serve this type of Christ, the writer urges us to come boldly (not in timidity and fear) before the throne of God for the help we need. That help is not to be found anywhere else. No one merits that type of trust, except the One who knows personally the pains we bear. If He cared enough to bear them, would He not care equally as much about helping us through them? Think on this. Be encouraged in your walk. And may the God of all mercy in grace strengthen you through Christ Jesus our Lord.