For this reason he (Jesus) had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest. Hebrews 2:17
Jesus “made himself nothing” (Philippians 2:7). He set aside all his divine attributes to become human. Therefore he is able to sympathise with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15) because he is like us “in every way.” He not only understands how we feel but why we feel the way we do. He has the resources and empathy to help us in our time of need.
For this reason, the writer to the Hebrews encourages us to come to him “with confidence” (4:16). Yet sometimes we are reluctant. We feel unworthy or that our problems aren’t important enough to bother Jesus, since other people’s needs seem much greater than ours.
Alternatively, we may think we should be able to handle our problems on our own. We think of ourselves as capable and self-sufficient. We may be too proud to ask for help.
Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You study the Scripture diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39-40). The Pharisees refused to come to Jesus. He wasn’t the Messiah they expected or wanted. He didn’t fit their preconceived ideas and so they rejected him.
Jesus is longing for us to come to him for the help we need but are we willing to come? Jesus doesn’t always answer our prayers in the way we would like or expect. Are we willing to change?
Let’s not refuse the help of one who voluntarily became like us in every way.
