For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

(Hebrews 4:15 NIV)

A man was trying to cross the street. As he steps off the curb, a car comes flying around the corner straight toward him. The man hurries across, but the car changes lanes and follows. Panicked, he turns back, only to find the car swerving after him again. Terrified, he freezes in the middle of the road.

At the last possible second, the car screeches to a halt right next to him. The driver rolls down the window — it’s a squirrel. The squirrel looks at him and says, “See?  It’s not as easy as it looks, is it?”

That line is both funny and true. There have been times when I’ve discovered that something I once thought was simple was far harder when I had to experience it myself.

Perhaps you’ve had the same realization. Maybe you once thought a grieving person should “move on” more quickly — until you walked through your own loss. Or maybe you wondered why someone didn’t handle a divorce, illness, or hardship better — until life handed you the same trial. Experience changes our perspective.

That’s why the incarnation of Jesus is so important. We can’t look at God and say, “Living on this earth is not as easy as it looks!”  Because he’s been here. He took on flesh and blood, walked our roads, and faced the same struggles we do. He experienced temptation, frustration, sorrow, betrayal, persecution, and pain. He knows how hard it is. He understands. And because of that, he is able to help us.

The writer of Hebrews put it this way: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15 NIV).

Life on earth truly is “not as easy as it looks.” But take comfort in knowing that your Savior not only knows that, he’s walked it himself, and he offers mercy and grace to carry you through.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for walking this earth and experiencing life as we do. Thank you for knowing our struggles, our weaknesses, and our pain. Help us to come boldly to you, trusting that you understand and will provide the mercy and grace we need each day.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day