The Other Foot
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15
My daughter has been sick this week.
On Wednesday morning, her bedroom floor was a graveyard of Kleenexes.
On Thursday morning, her nose was less runny, but she was coughing up a storm.
She got frustrated easily. Her nose wouldn’t stay dry. Her throat wouldn’t get clear.
As she got frustrated, I too would get frustrated.
We gave her medicine. We prayed.
But there was still her minute to minute experience as she tried to go to sleep. Wednesday night, she was in tears.
Today, I began to get sick too. My throat was scratchy. My nose was runny.
While our daughter sleeps soundly, I’m preparing for a long night.
I must admit that I’ve been thinking about her today. I’m frustrated with feeling the way I do, and I’m 40. I imagine that if our daughter’s nose felt anything like mine does right now, then her frustration was more than understandable.
In fact, it’s kind of amazing she didn’t complain more!
The lesson we take from the letter to the Hebrews is that Christ is the best possible high priest because he empathizes with our weaknesses — and yet remains sinless.
I know I’m not sinless, but I do hope to empathize more with my daughter in her pain and frustration.
Moreover, I remain amazed and humbled by a Savior who would take on my weaknesses and remain perfect so that He redeem weak and imperfect people like us.
I am praying for our quick and full recovery, but I am praying even more for the ability to reflect Christ’s empathy.
