For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

“You just don’t understand!”

I suppose every child has at least thought it if not said it to his parents. It’s hard for a child to imagine that old mom and dad have ever had feelings at all, much less feelings that the child is now experiencing. Particularly when the child is not getting his way!

And sometimes, when our Father in heaven says “No,” we too pout and wonder if He really sees and knows what we are going through.

The answer is in the Incarnation. God became flesh and He dwelt among us. He did not dwell among us as royalty with no understanding of mundane daily existence, but as the least among us. He did not dwell among us without facing our temptations, but was tempted as we are yet without sin. He lived our lives so that He knows what we face except He overcame at every point where we have failed.

The result is two-fold. First, as the sinless Son of Man, He was the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. Because He faced our temptations without giving in to them, He was under no judgment for sin. And thus, He was able to pay the price for our sins on the cross.

And, second, as the suffering Son of Man, He knows what it is to suffer. He knows what it is to live on this earth with no place to call home, no place to lay His head. He knows what it is to thirst and hunger and deal with unreasonable people. And, He knows what it is for the Father’s will to require suffering, namely on the cross.

This means that when we come to Him, even when we don’t understand, what we find is mercy and grace to help in time of need.