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Beset With Weakness

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.

Hebrews 5:1-3

I just want to unpack one small, but critical, reality from these verses. Contextually, the Hebrews author is comparing the earthly Levitical high priests to Jesus, THE High Priest. While the writer is speaking of high priests, we can take something from this passage for ourselves as well.

In verse 1, we see that the high priest is chosen from among men (by God) to act on behalf of his brethren. His role is to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. In verse 3, we see that he must also offer sacrifice for his own sins.

Verse 2 is what stands out to me. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Doesn’t this apply to all of us? Aren’t we all beset with weakness? Don’t we all need others to extend grace to us because we are sinful?

I’m convinced that a deep awareness of my own frailty is essential before I can truly love others. I must be keenly aware of my own faults and always operate out of that awareness. First, it keeps me close to Jesus Christ because I remember that I need Him for life. Second, it allows me to be compassionate when others, who are beset with their own weakness, do something that hurts, annoys, or wrongs me.

When I find that I lack compassion, I can be sure that there is a deeper issue at work. The real issue is that I have failed to remember that I myself am beset with weakness and need a Savior. I have exalted myself. I have made much of my sufficiency and merit. That’s the root of the problem.

When we don’t extend grace, especially in the forms of forgiveness, forbearance, patience, and compassion, we prove that we think we are better people than those around us. We fail to remember that we are beset with weakness.

The truth is: we are frail people. We are needy people. We are sinful people. And we must not forget that Christ has been merciful and calls us to be merciful as well.

Read God’s Word in this light:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:12-13

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