by C. Young
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“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” (Hebrews 4:15a)
This verse, this half of this verse, is full of rich truth. Here we see that Jesus not only went through the same trials and temptations we do, but He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities. An example of this would be His struggles in the garden of Gethsemane.
As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, His heart was crushed. The Bible says He “began to be sorrowful and very heavy.” He took Peter, James, and John with Him into the garden and desired that they would watch and pray with Him just “one hour.” But they slept.
Before He went to pray the first time, He said to His disciples, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” Jesus’ soul was so crushed by His heaviness, that He felt as if it would kill Him.* Luke 22:44 says, “Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Jesus’ heart was heavy. It was pained with sorrow. These feelings of heaviness and sorrow were so great that Jesus was in agony.
Twice Jesus besought His disciples to watch and pray with Him. He longed for their companionship and support in His trial. But they slept. God sent an angel to strengthen Him. (See Luke 22:43)
Does your heart feel crushed today? Does it feel so heavy it seems that the weight of your sorrow or trial will kill you? Remember, Jesus was touched with the feeling of that infirmity. His heart was crushed with sorrow; it was “exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” He knew what it was like to have no human companion who understood His sorrow. But His Father understood it and sent an angel to strengthen Him.
You do not have to wait for angels. You have Jesus, your High Priest, who was touched with the feeling of your infirmity and is ready to go with you through that infirmity if you will come to Him.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28,29)
*See Matthew 26:36-45
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