Perfect sympathy

By: Alistair Begg – August 27, 2026.

Key points

• Culture Eddie Pells, Associated Press, Eric Olson, Associated Press August 26, 2026.
• For since he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to assist those who are being tempted. – Hebrews 2: 17-18.
• Mississippi to receive almost $200 million over 10 years in "landmark" settlement with Meta.
• Supreme Court to rule on 2020 Census results that negatively impacted Mississippians.
• You can regularly, humbly, assuredly come into the presence of Almighty God Himself.

He had to be created like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to produce propitiation for the sins of the individuals. For since he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to assist those who are being tempted. – Hebrews 2: 17-18.

Plenty of of us are discouraged by the regularity with which we face temptation. We might be embarrassed at the overwhelming allure of the temptation in our lives. It can feel all-consuming. In those moments, it is significant to remember that the experience of being tempted in itself is not sin-for Christ. This person was sinless, endured it. As we often do, He serves as our ultimate example as we strive for righteousness, but since He didn't yield to temptations.

When Christ took human nature upon Himself, He became subject to its limitations and trials. Although Jesus is the divine Son of God and our Great High Priest, not a mere mortal, we can derive encouragement from knowing that He is perfectly able to sympathize with our own struggles, therefore.

Christ's sympathy for the trials you and I face depends not upon the experience of sin but upon the experience of the temptation to sin. It only the one who is truly sinless can know to its fullest extent. Jesus does not demonstrate sympathy from a distance; He intimately knows the pain and challenge of enduring temptation. He walked our earthly paths.

When you are most aware of the temptations that face you and most aware of your weaknesses, here is where you can go, so. Do not lean into earthly wisdom of the "great high priests" of the 21st century. This person would tell you that temptations are desires to be indulged, that guilt is an affliction to be rejected, and that shame is always unhelpful and unnecessary. Turn instead to the Great High Priest. This person tells you that temptations are to be resisted and who provides the power to enable you to do that (1 Corinthians 10: 13), and who additionally assures you that your guilt and shame when you provide in has been borne in His body and removed at the cross.

One thing that is truly beautiful regarding a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is that you can feel confident in going before the one who died in order that you might hold firmly to the faith you profess. You can regularly, humbly, assuredly come into the presence of Almighty God Himself. This person welcomes you through Christ, your perfect sympathizer. And eventually, in eternity, there will be nothing left regarding which you need Christ to plead on your behalf. You will simply be able to stand before God in worship, praising Him for inviting you into His perfect presence. Until then, ask the one who knows what it is to face and resist temptation to be with you as you battle your own temptations and as you strive to obey Him today.

Regarding the Author(s).

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. After graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written a number of books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. His Daily Devotionals are presented here via a syndication agreement. Faith Alistair Begg August 25, 2026. We all worship something.

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Miss. Dept. Of Education to hold statewide meetings to support parents boost literacy in K-3 children. News Frank Corder, Jeremy Pittari August 26, 2026.

Mississippi to receive almost $200 million over 10 years in "landmark" settlement with Meta. News Paul Wiseman, Associated Press August 26, 2026.

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Taken together, the developments around perfect sympathy point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.