Our Lord’s experience of temptation prepared Him to be our sympathetic High Priest. It is
important to note that Jesus faced the enemy as man, not as the Son of God. He said, “Man
shall not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4).
We must not think that Jesus used His divine powers to overcome the enemy, because that is
just what the enemy wanted Him to do! Jesus used the spiritual resources that are available to
us today: the power of the Holy Spirit of God and the power of the Word of God. Jesus had
nothing in His nature that would give Satan a foothold, but His temptations were real just the
same. Temptation involves the will, and Jesus came to do the Father’s will.
After Christ had defeated Satan, He was ready to begin His ministry. No man has a right to
call others to obey who has not obeyed himself. Our Lord proved Himself to be the perfect
King whose sovereignty is worthy of our respect and obedience.
Today’s Scripture: “Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help
those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18, NIV).
Also consider: Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:15-16.
Action assignment: Ask God to show you an area of your life in which you often fall into
sin. Then call on the Holy Spirit, read the Word, and talk to Jesus, the Mediator, in claiming
victory over that temptation
WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in