The Full Weight

On May 2nd of last year, while most of the world was locked down due to policies in reaction to COVID-19, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson set the world record in deadlifting. In Iceland, during an attempt sanctioned by the World’s Ultimate Strongman, Björnsson lifted 501kg, or 1,104.5 pounds! Björnsson is the only man who knows what it feels like to lift that weight. Anyone else who would attempt to lift that much weight, especially your average person, would crumble beneath it. 

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Jesus faced all of the same testings that we do but He never sinned. He is the only one who understands the full weight of sin because He is the only one who ever carried the full weight of sin. We give in because we can only handle so much; eventually, we are broken in sin. On our own when we face temptations we are crushed under the weight. Chances are, you and I will never know what it feels like to lift 1,104.5 pounds. If we had to perform deadlifts and after each successful lift more weight was added on, eventually we would reach a point where we could no longer lift the bar. Even Björnsson would hit that point, although much later than everyone else. Jesus never reached that point. He took the full weight of the sin of the world all the way to the cross and paid our sin debt with His life. 

“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

Jesus understands the full weight of temptation and sin because He was never crushed by it. He understands anything you are going through more than anyone ever will because it never broke Him. Know that you can take anything to our High Priest because He understands our weakness. He humbled Himself and took on the form of a man and, through it all, He never sinned. Whatever you are going through, Jesus understands and you can humbly go to Him in prayer with anything. Boldly go to His throne and receive His mercy and you will find grace when you need it most. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed