He is able to help!

 


Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Hebrews‬ ‭2:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Key takeaways:

• Jesus understands our struggles: Jesus, unlike angels, experienced human suffering and temptation, making him uniquely qualified to empathize with and guide us through our own trials.

• Compassionate help: Jesus's understanding of our struggles translates into compassionate help. He can provide comfort, strength, and guidance as we navigate difficult times.

• Hope in adversity: Knowing that Jesus has overcome suffering and emerged victorious offers hope that we can too overcome our trials and emerge stronger.

Possible interpretations:

• Jesus's suffering as a prerequisite for help: Jesus's own experience of suffering is not just a demonstration of empathy but a necessary qualification for providing help. He can only truly aid us because he has "been there, done that."

• Universal applicability: The verse's emphasis on Jesus's ability to help "us" suggests that his assistance is not limited to a select few but extends to all who face trials.

• Ongoing help: The present tense of "is able to help" implies that Jesus's help is not a one-time act but an ongoing support system throughout our lives.

Connections to other scriptures:

• Matthew 4:1-11: The account of Jesus's temptation in the wilderness illustrates his firsthand experience of temptation and his ability to resist it.

• 2 Corinthians 1:3-5: Paul acknowledges that God comforts us in our afflictions "so that we can comfort those in any affliction, with the same comfort with which God comforts us."

• 1 Peter 5:10: Peter encourages believers to "cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Personal application:

• When facing trials, remember that Jesus understands your pain and is able to help.

• Seek Jesus's comfort, strength, and guidance through prayer, reading Scripture, and connecting with other believers.

• Share your own experiences of God's help with others to offer encouragement and hope.

Additional notes:

• This verse is part of a larger passage in Hebrews that highlights Jesus's superiority to angels (Hebrews 1:4-2:18).

• The verse's emphasis on Jesus's ability to help us in our trials is a source of comfort and encouragement for all believers.

• Jesus's compassion and help are not based on our merit or worthiness but on his own grace and love.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,

In times of suffering and testing, I turn to you, knowing that you understand my pain. You have walked this earth, experienced every temptation and trial that I face, and emerged victorious.

Your empathy and compassion know no bounds. You can relate to my struggles and offer me the comfort, strength, and guidance I need to persevere.

In this moment of weakness, I reach out to you, seeking your help. Surround me with your loving presence, and remind me that I am not alone in my struggles.

You are my anchor in the storm, my refuge in the midst of darkness. With each step I take, I lean on your unwavering support.

Thank you for your unending love and grace. Amen.

                      ***

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