Understanding

"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

While listening to the radio this morning, I heard Chuck Swindoll tell this story:  A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 20 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. "Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck. "These pups come from fine parents, and cost a good deal of money."

The boy dropped his head a moment, then reaching deep into his pocket he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got 39 cents. Is that enough to take a look?"

"Sure," said the farmer, and with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by 4 little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others doing its best to catch up.

"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.

The farmer knelt down at the boys side and said "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."

With that the little boy stepped back from the farmer, reached down and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so, he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."

Such is Christ.  Our Savior is not one who cannot sympathize with us.  He was tempted in all ways and relates to us on every level.  Whatever your physical pain, remember the scars of Jesus; Whatever your emotional pain, remember that Jesus was often accused of being out of His mind, and furthermore, abandoned by His most trusted followers; And whatever your spiritual pain, know that man who knew no sin became sin for us, forcing the Father to turn His face away.

Jesus sympathizes with us and knows our weaknesses.  We have not a God who is watching "from a distance," but a God who knows us more than we can ever understand.  We have Immanuel, "God with us."