Sympathy:1 a : an affinity, association, or relationship between persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the other b : mutual or parallel susceptibility or a condition brought about by it c : unity or harmony in action or effect.
Hebrews 4
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For 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.
We are not alone in our struggle here on earth.
Surely we endeavor to succeed with our fellow Christians, knowing there is not a temptation come upon us that is not Common to man.(*1)
And yes surely we count it all joy as we fall into these various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience…Oh yes we surely do that.(*2)
So what do we do when we face a trial….well we ask for prayer. We Pray ourselves and we have faith that our prayers are answered.
The typical Christian prescription…..take two bible verses and call me in the morning, and your on your own kid. Hardly an inspirational way to face a problem.
But God is not a heavenly pharmacist dispensing cures from on high. He knows what you are going through. He cares that you hurt. He could have remained in heaven and let us suffer but instead He came and He suffered every pain for us. Understanding the utter fear that we face, when disaster raises its ugly head is only possible through a human perspective. And Jesus became that human for us.
But he did not stop there. From the moment He was born He lived in the peril of destruction by the enemy, as Herod sought to have Him destroyed. As He began his ministry He faced the enemy himself and was tempted in everyway to get Jesus to relinquish his role as savior.
If we knew that we were about to be tempted by Satan , how would we prepare? We would rest up, eat right make sure there were absolutely no way the devil could find a way in? Jesus fasted forty days and nights in the desert, and at the point of utter weakness of flesh (but strength of Spirit) He faced the Devil.
Through out His ministry period he was derided and questioned and scoffed at. Constantly put to the test by the agents of evil, the Pharisees and Sadducees , to try and cause Him to sin the sin of pride or wrath, thus invalidating His sacrifice.