“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:15-16
What does it mean to the believer that Jesus was tempted and yet remained sinless? The Father, along with the yielding of the Son, found it completely necessary for Jesus to walk in mankind’s shoes for 33 years. But why?
Couldn’t Jesus have come to earth on the day of His crucifixion without having to be born as a child? God allowed Jesus to walk the earth and suffer pain, grief, temptation and also joy, all as a MAN. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, I don’t believe He conquered those temptations with Godly strength. In my opinion, there would be no point in recording this event in Scripture if Jesus merely defeated Satan with His deity. He purposely used God’s Word as His strength during the temptation. How awesome a thought- Jesus could have resisted by simply commanding the devil to flee from His holy presence and yet, for our benefit, He withstood the testing of His flesh so that He could better aid His children when they face the same temptations: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
When we read about the definition of the High Priest given in Hebrews we see that he is able to enter in to make atonement on behalf of the people because he was one of them and shared the same weaknesses. In the light of that we see Jesus having compassion on His children when they come to Him in times of temptation because He knows what we’re going through and can give us the strength to bare it and also provide a way of escape. It is possible to resist temptation but only if we are willing to withstand the temptation and take the escape route when it is provided. Jesus, give us the courage and the strength to come boldly to Your throne for help when we are faced with temptation and in times of need.
“Therefore, in all things He HAD to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted; He is able to aid those who are tempted.” – Hebrews 2:17-18 (emphasis added)