Hebrews 4:15-16 - How could he stoop so low?

Yesterday, we were at a bed and breakfast on an acreage in South Dakota. Recently, the owner started keeping chickens. He gave us some bird seed and invited us to feed them. I'm not a farm boy, and this was a new experience. Why not?

I stooped over with a little bit of seed in my hand. The first chicken started to peck at the seed. Other chickens started to come toward me, but scattered when I stood up. The owner explained that they're spooked when someone is towering over them. [No wonder we use the word "chicken" to describe someone who's easily intimidated!], However, he said that they would come back for more bird seed if I kneeled down. Well, I squatted... and they came back. 

It's a crude illustration of Hebrews 4:15–16 (New American Standard Bible)...
"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."

Did you catch that? "...tempted in ALL things as we are, yet without sin." Think of the worst temptations you've ever faced, or given into. At their root, Jesus has faced the same temptations. I say, "at their root" because--for example--Jesus wasn't ever tempted to do meth, but He was tempted to get drunk. God became man. He experienced life at our level, but never gave in to temptation. He knows what we face.

Thank you, Father, for sending Your Son to face--successfully face--all the frailties of humanity. Thank you for not towering over me, but humbly offering what I need, just when I need it. Help me to treat others the same way, to "deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because I'm subject to the same weaknesses." Amen.  (Heb. 5:2, New Living Translation)