It's Not That Cold! (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Many years ago, my wife and I were dining in a Chinese restaurant. We were seated below an air conditioning vent, and the temperature seemed colder than usual. My wife was shivering and she had no sweater or additional outerwear. When the waiter came to take our order he noticed my wife shivering and asked, “Are you cold?”

My wife looked up at him, arms crossed and shivering and nodded, “Yes, I’m cold!”

The waiter glanced at her, looked around, and then pronounced, “It’s not that cold!”

And with that, he took our order and left. My wife and I both looked at each other incredulously, not knowing whether to laugh or get angry!

We were looking for empathy; we were looking for comfort from someone whom we thought would oblige; we were looking at the wrong person!

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

There are many people that we may turn to because in them, we think that we will find help and comfort. There are counselors, social workers, teachers...all of them may give very good advice and assistance. But like the unsympathetic waiter in the restaurant, we will inevitably encounter a less than satisfying outcome. As skilled as all these others may be, they are still human like all of us, subject to the same human failings and trappings of our sinful nature.

No, to truly address our deepest needs, there is only person to whom we can confidently turn-Jesus Christ. We can turn and pray to Him in confidence because He is God. And if we confess our sins to Him, because of His sacrifice and death on the Cross and His resurrection, we know that He will listen to our prayers and grant us the salvation we all need.

Praise God for His love, mercy, and grace to us!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.