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Devotions

Jesus, Our Advocate

Hebrews 4:14-16
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

While working for inclusion of people with developmental disabilities, Parish Ministry Consultants often try to build understanding and empathy for people who have developmental disabilities. Parish Ministry Consultants do this by conducting disability awareness experiences in churches and schools. Simulated disability experiences (examples: wearing a blindfold or sitting in a wheelchair) are meant to help participants experience “what it might be like” to have a disability. Reflection questions help participants reflect on their feelings and build empathy for those who live with disabilities every day.

Empathy, the ability to participate or share in the feelings of another person, is an important step in understanding one another and making sure all people are included in a community. Nevertheless, even the best disability awareness experiences are simulated experiences. Participants who complete them cannot claim to know what it’s like to have a disability. They can only say they know what it might be like.

What a comfort to read in Hebrews 4 that Jesus, our High Priest, truly understands all that we struggle with in our lives. His experience was not simulated. It was very real. He lived here on earth and in a very real way faced all the temptations and struggles that you and I do. He most certainly can empathize with all the struggles we face in our lives. Yet He was different from us in a very important way. He never gave into temptation, and He never sinned.

Who is a better advocate to have on our side? Who is a better advocate to speak for us at the throne of God, someone who understands our predicament and yet is holy and blameless. With confidence we now approach God and ask for forgiveness for our sins. With confidence we trust Jesus to help us with all our problems and concerns. With confidence we leave our burdens at His feet and trust that all our sins are forgiven because He loves us. He died on the cross to save us from our sins.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, Your Son, to live among us and die for us on the cross. Thank You for giving us an advocate who understands all the temptations that we face and yet never sinned. Help us to believe and trust in You throughout our lives, and in Your perfect time bring us safely to our heavenly home. In Jesus name. Amen.