2-11-2025

Good Morning All,

     Hebrews 4:15; “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.” 

     I have always had a theory about education and teachers.  I have always felt that teachers should teach the subject that they were the worst at in school instead of the class that they were the best at or liked the best.  My theory is based on the observation that if teachers teach the classes, they enjoy, they have more difficulty having empathy with students who struggle in class.  The subject matter comes so easily when you enjoy the class it is difficult to understand how it can be hard for someone or how someone could not like the class.

     I remember observing this firsthand when I was a freshman in college.  We were all in the intro to math class.  It was the most elementary math class there was.  The person they hired to teach this class had a doctorate in math and the summer before was teaching advanced calculus at the Naval Nuclear Propulsion School.  He would explain the material as simply as he could but there were still people who didn’t understand.  The look of frustration on his face was amazing.

     You see the same in sports.  The great coaches were rarely great players.  The great coaches are the ones who had to work at the skills to be good.  They learned the craft and in so doing so the learned how to empathize and to use different methods of trying to teach the game.  The ability of the coach or the teacher to empathize with those who struggle at the task at hand creates a stronger team or student.

    You and I have that type of “Coach.”  The writer of Hebrews tells us that our high priest (Jesus) is able to sympathize with us as he too walked in our shoes.  He faced all the temptations of this earthly life just as we do.  He knows what it is like to be jostled when you are tired or how you feel when you have a ton of work to do and suddenly more shows up.  He knows what it feels like to have family members question you and what you are doing.  He knows the pain of rejection, of disappointment, of sadness in death, or the temptation to try and cut corners to success.

    Jesus experienced all this; yet he did not sin.  He dealt with our struggles and managed.  However, he doesn’t take the smug, superior attitude towards us.  He looks out to us and on us with the love and compassion of a loving parent or brother.  He knows our struggle and prays for us and sends his Spirit to us so that we can face those battles head on.

     This is part of why Jesus became man; in order that he might experience what it means to be human.  This shows the love which God has for us in that the Creator joined the created.  As we go through life, we do not go alone; we do not have a God who does not see what we live with.  He loves us and has compassion for us and sympathizes with us.  He gives us the strength to battle on.

Gracious Father, your tender mercy protects us all day and all night.  Give us comfort in the knowledge that we face no trial which you have not conquered.  Guide us with your gentle hand.  Gently bring us back to your ways.  Guard us with your truth.  In Jesus’’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret