Christ Knows

I've always taken comfort in this verse: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are..." (Hebrews 4:15). Hebrews 5:2 says, "He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness". We have such a kind Mediator! Jesus knows how the struggles we face and the burdens we bear. He knows how it feels to be human. It is with this knowledge that we can "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" Hebrews 4:16). What a great comfort!

I found the following quote at a blog called Of First Importance where each day they post a quote to help their readers "remember what's 'of first importance': the Gospel".

"Christ knows what it is by experience, having felt the anguish of inward troubles, the weight of God’s wrath, and the terrors of a forsaking God, more than any or all the sons of men: this makes him tender over distressed souls." (John Flavel, The Method of Grace)

This part--'Christ knows what it is by experience... the weight of God's wrath, and the terrors of forsaking God'--was especially significant to me because I've never thought of Christ understanding these things as I do. As a sinner, I know what it is to think of God's wrath and to fear the terrors of forsaking God. BUT SO DID JESUS. Because He became sin for me. This makes me feel comforted and yet so humbled. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to earth and struggled in the flesh as I struggle and though He never sinned, He became sin for me and experienced the weight of God's wrath and the terrors of forsaking God for me.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory*

"For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren". Hebrews 2:10-11

*How Deep the Father's Love For Us, Stuart Townsend