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