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Superior Sympathy

Read Hebrews 5:7–8
Today's Scripture: During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Hebrews 5:7

Every Old Testament high priest had to minister to people who were “ignorant and … going astray” (Heb. 5:2). God made no provision but judgment for the high-handed sins of rebellion. But He did make provision when people sinned through ignorance or weakness. An Old Testament priest could identify with the sinners since he himself was a sinner. In fact, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest had to offer a sacrifice for himself before he could offer one for the nation (Lev. 16; Heb. 9:7)!

We would think that one sinner would have compassion for another sinner, but this is not always the case. Sin can harden our hearts and make us judgmental instead of sympathetic. Remember how heartbroken innocently praying Hannah was when the high priest Eli falsely accused her of being drunk (1 Sam. 1:9–18)?

No, it is the spiritually minded person with a clean heart who sympathizes with sinners and seeks to help them. Because we are so sinful, we have a hard time helping other sinners; but because Jesus is perfect, He is able to meet our needs after we sin (Heb. 4:15–16).

Something to Ponder
What can you learn from Jesus’ example of “reverent submission”? Be specific.