The last part of Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus is “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
This is how we know that He is able to “sympathise with our weaknesses.” He is good and compassionate and He has placed Himself as Jesus the Man where He Himself truly faced every kind of temptation so that we know He understands.
His sympathy is not theoretical (He doesn’t just feel concerned for us) but He is showing us that He knows because He has been there, like us, facing temptation.
Some people ask: “How is this possible? Jesus didn’t have the things that we have, like movies and the internet.” No, but He still faced the same kinds of temptations as we do. For example, a lot of social media is false images; people make themselves appear to be something that they are not. Wasn’t Jesus tempted to avoid the cross? That would have meant denying who He was. But He didn’t!
He was also tempted in every part of life: in His mind, spirit and body. So, we can be sure that He IS a high priest who sympathises with our weaknesses.
He is also one who can strengthen us as we face temptation. He was tempted in every way, “yet without sin.” Although we are not without sin until glory, we have a high priest who IS. So, He can and will help us as we face temptation. And He can and does forgive us when we fall.
Glory to God!
The best is yet to come 