Pastor, Jesus Understands You

Last spring, during the Good Friday service, I mentioned a passage from the book of Hebrews in my message, and it really struck a chord. It was one of those unexpected moments when a Bible verse cuts through the busyness of life, making us hit the brakes and take notice.

In Hebrews 4:15, the writer says, “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.” Our high priest is Jesus Christ. He came from heaven to be the sacrifice and mediator for his people. This passage tells us something very special about his role, especially for those who think “high priest” means someone who is overly religious, judgmental, or out of touch with real life.

Jesus, our high priest, can empathize with our weaknesses.

Don’t just skim over that statement. Take a moment to think about it, like enjoying a gentle, scented breeze on a spring day. It reveals something about ourselves – a truth that’s hard to recognize and even harder to admit. Jesus acknowledges that we are weak.

Think about it. This applies to you, me, and every person with a soul. We’re all vulnerable travelers in a broken world, fragile, uncertain, and far from perfect. Absolutely everyone. This verse isn’t singling out a specific group of people who happen to be flawed. If you’re alive, you’re weak. And if you’re a pastor, you’re no exception. The question isn’t whether it’s true; it’s whether you’re aware of it or not.

I Am Weak

Recently, when I was leaving Starbucks, I tried to unlock my car with my fancy electronic key, but nothing happened. Right away, my mood soured. I started stressing about all the time I’d waste if I needed to get a new battery for the key (do they even have batteries?), a new car battery (mine was brand – new!), or if there was some other unexpected repair. As I was getting more and more frustrated about a day that hadn’t even really started, I noticed another car in the parking lot that looked just like mine. Turns out, it was my car. It’s not a great start to the day when you realize your key is fine, but your memory is failing.

I’m weak, and there are reminders of this every day.

Weakness shows up in those moments when we’re reminded that we’re not all – powerful rulers of the kingdom, able to use omniscience, omnipotence, and perfect competence whenever we want. Not even close. We’re the flawed and frail who forget about meetings, get into car accidents, and accidentally leave doors open, inviting all sorts of critters into our homes. You know what I mean. We’re the ones who oversleep, forget to pay bills, and wonder, “Oh Lord, what’s that smell?” We’re weak.

And just so you know, I’m not just talking about sin. Sure, all sin shows our weakness, but not every instance of weakness is a sin.

Christ My Sympathizer

For leaders who accept the fact that they’re weak, this passage in Hebrews has an amazing message. Jesus gets us. I don’t mean he just listens politely while being detached from our real – life struggles. Jesus isn’t like the Pharisees, who would roll their eyes when we mess up, pretending to tolerate us but secretly looking down on our weaknesses. No, Jesus truly sympathizes with us in our areas of weakness. As a loving high priest, he understands and shares in our struggles.

But there’s more. Jesus doesn’t just sympathize from a distance. He’s not someone who read a book or searched the internet to learn about weakness. No, the Savior knows us through personal experience. As our perfect high priest, Jesus “has been tempted in every respect as we are.”

Pastors, slow down and really think about this: “In every respect, tempted as we are.” Had a rough week fighting against lust? Jesus gets it. He knows what that temptation feels like. Struggling with resentment because of how someone treated you? Jesus understands. He was treated terribly by others and faced those same temptations. Worried about a church issue? Stressed about money? Feeling overlooked? Jesus knows all about it. Ever felt like giving up on your congregation, thinking you’re not cut out for the job? Jesus gets that, too.

He understands the battle because he’s been through it.

Raymond Brown said about Christ’s temptations, “No one on earth, before or since, has ever been brought through such spiritual desolation and human anguish. For this reason, he can help us in our moments of temptation. He is aware of our needs because he has experienced to the full the pressures and testings of life in this godless world.”

Always remember: Jesus knows how a fallen world impacts you and how temptations fight for control in your soul. Jesus understands the shame and the demoralizing feeling that comes from the conflict between what you feel and who you’re called to be. Jesus gets it, and he sympathizes with you.

Weakness Sets Me Free

Church leaders, here’s one last thought to lift your spirits: Since Christ can sympathize with our weakness, we don’t need to wallow in self – pity. If you’re like me, as soon as I notice my weakness, I’m tempted to throw a pity party for myself. “Come join Dave as he spends another day feeling sorry for himself because he’s not God!” But through this passage, God is saying something different. “Hey Dave,” he might say, “let’s tone down the self – pity today. Remember, I’m the perfect high priest. Sympathizing with you is my job. I’ve got this. Why don’t you focus on loving and enjoying me today?”

In every part of life, the gospel changes everything. When it comes to self – pity, the gospel steps in and reminds me that because of Christ’s death and resurrection, I receive far more sympathy than I deserve. The gospel offers a double – exchange. At the cross, not only do I avoid the punishment my sins deserve, but instead of God’s anger, I receive his adoption, his love, and his compassion for my weakness. Instead of the rejection I earned, I get the sympathy of a loving heavenly Father.

So, are you feeling weak today? Maybe you’re being battered by temptations. Have you been thinking about throwing a pity party for yourself? The good news of the gospel is that we have a wonderful high priest. A Savior with such a vast love that he enters into the ordinary moments of our weakness and temptation and says, “I get you, and I understand.” Then, at just the right time, he provides a way out (1 Cor. 10:13).

My Savior understands me. He understands you, too. From his perfect knowledge of us, right down to our very core, he gives this life – changing invitation: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

The goodness and grace of a God who truly understands us. That’s what makes him the perfect high priest (Heb. 9:11–12).