In Hebrews chapter four we read that Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. That is an encouraging and worshipful thought. But it also seems to beg the question, just how well he can sympathize, exactly? Obviously, the circumstances and details of Jesus’ life experience were not identical to mine or anyone else’s. Jesus never had any kids. I have three with an average age of less than five. Can Jesus sympathize with parenting exhaustion? Reading the gospels the other day it occurred to me that the answer is obviously yes. And not just in some vague spiritual sense. I mean, in the details.

Can you hardly get a moment to yourself because of the demands of kids? Jesus knows what that’s like. When Jesus tried to get away by himself to grieve the death of his cousin in Matthew 14, a great crowd followed him. It seems like Jesus had to get up extra early if he wanted to have any time to himself. (Mark 1:35)

Does dinner time not go quite as planned? Are children are constantly out of their seats? Maybe there’s another spill? Can’t hear yourself think between the dog barking, the baby crying, and the children yelling? In Mark 3, Jesus had the whole town gathered at his home at dinner time “so that they could not even eat.”

Are kids on top of you? Literally? Sleeping on you? Grabbing you? Climbing on you? Jesus had sick people wanting to touch and his garments quite frequently. The woman in Mark five was able to reach Jesus and touch him despite crowds pressing around him.

Do you have older children? Children that you pray for? Children that fail you? Children whom you restore? Children that you’re hoping will carry on a legacy and grow into mature leaders of the future? Yeah, he knows what that’s like too. Twelve times over.

Jesus is a great high priest who can sympathize with parents.