Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 8:34
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Jesus does not condemn us! He gently, continually calls to us to come and follow Him. Jesus empathizes with our weaknesses because He lived and died in the weakened state of being human! Over the past week we’ve been reading about several broken and imperfect people who encountered Jesus as He walked on our earth. The rich young man, who chose to keep his earthly treasure instead of following Jesus. Judas Iscariot who betrayed his friend, Jesus. Mary who was filled with evil spirits, until Jesus freed her. Peter who waffled from being “Peter the Brave” to “Peter the Scared.” Finally, Thomas who chose to say, “Unless I see, I will not believe.” Jesus showed great love and compassion to each of these people. He didn’t condemn them for their weaknesses and failures. He invited them into relationship, He washed their feet, He freed them, He lovingly warned them and taught them. They made the choice to either follow Jesus or walk away from Jesus.
Now it’s our turn. We’re the broken and imperfect people, living in the weaknesses of our human nature. We’ve been scarred by our failures, wounded by people, and we’ve fallen into sin as we have given into temptation. Just like the 5 people we’ve been reading about, it’s up to us. Are we going to choose to run to Jesus, or are we going to walk away from Him? That’s the question that needs to be answered.
God knows, whether we know it or not, that we need to be saved! He walked among us and was tempted by Satan as He lived here on earth, but He did not sin like we do. Our High Priest, Jesus empathizes with our weaknesses. He relates to us because He lived and died as one of us. Because Jesus didn’t sin, because He died and rose again, He conquered sin and death! In Christ Jesus we also conquer sin and death! Without Jesus we live into sin and death, we have no hope of eternity with God.
But when we choose Jesus, we come into relationship with the High Priest Who is at the right hand of God, interceding for us. He is advocating for us, fighting for us! Because of Jesus, we become more than conquerors over sin and eternal death! We live victoriously over sin because Jesus is the expert Who lived a sinless life! He helps us overcome the sin that so easily traps us! He understands, Jesus gets how difficult it is for us down here, because He walked in our shoes. Jesus is the only hope and help we have! Jesus is the only hope and help we need.
Today’s Verses
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 8:34
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Scripture Inspired Prayer
Thank You for being my Perfect, Sinless sacrifice! Thank You for being my Empathetic, Powerful High Priest Who conquered sin and death. Thank You for Your obedience to the Father, becoming the only One who lived a sinless life. I am so very grateful that You, Jesus understand me because You were human once. Thank You for being my loving Savior, Who doesn’t condemn, but draws me close to Your heart, whispering Your love, Your peace, and Your joy into my heart. Empower me to live my life for You, with You, and in You!
