hebrews 4. 15-16 (cev), JESUS
understands every weakness of ours, because HE was tempted in every way that we
are. but HE did not sin! so whenever we
are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful GOD. there
we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.
HE understands. HE wants us to know that HE understands.
notice in the verse it says JESUS was tempted in every way that we are. so he understands. always.
did JESUS ever face temptation having to do with anger? of course. this is the same temptation. temptations surrounding self-pity. absolutely. same temptation. temptation surrounding sexuality or fatigue or loneliness. of course. all the same temptations. he understands.
and JESUS had the freedom to choose. and the difference is HE always chose to say no to the temptation and yes to GOD. but HE chose. so HE understands what we have to go through.
you get a glimpse into the heart of JESUS and how HE understands by looking at the night before HE died. HE was in the garden of gethsemane. some of you remember that in facing the cross the next day HE knew the suffering that was going to happen. HE prayed a prayer in which HE said, “I don’t want to face the cross. but not my will but YOUr will be done.” HE chose.
and because HE chose to say no to temptation HE can give us that strength. HE was GOD but HE was in a fully human body so HE understands all of our temptations and even better than that HE never sinned. that’s where HE’s different from all of us. HE never sinned. so HE can help us to overcome temptations in all of our lives. that’s why you come boldly. that’s why you come with no hesitation. because you know HE cares and you know HE has the strength to help.
now in looking at the same example what did the disciples not do? they didn’t pray and they slept. that was not the time to sleep, natural desire, it was the time to pray so that they would not give in to the traps that satan had for then and as you know they fell into them didn’t they?
just a thought from the front porch…
HE understands. HE wants us to know that HE understands.
notice in the verse it says JESUS was tempted in every way that we are. so he understands. always.
did JESUS ever face temptation having to do with anger? of course. this is the same temptation. temptations surrounding self-pity. absolutely. same temptation. temptation surrounding sexuality or fatigue or loneliness. of course. all the same temptations. he understands.
and JESUS had the freedom to choose. and the difference is HE always chose to say no to the temptation and yes to GOD. but HE chose. so HE understands what we have to go through.
you get a glimpse into the heart of JESUS and how HE understands by looking at the night before HE died. HE was in the garden of gethsemane. some of you remember that in facing the cross the next day HE knew the suffering that was going to happen. HE prayed a prayer in which HE said, “I don’t want to face the cross. but not my will but YOUr will be done.” HE chose.
and because HE chose to say no to temptation HE can give us that strength. HE was GOD but HE was in a fully human body so HE understands all of our temptations and even better than that HE never sinned. that’s where HE’s different from all of us. HE never sinned. so HE can help us to overcome temptations in all of our lives. that’s why you come boldly. that’s why you come with no hesitation. because you know HE cares and you know HE has the strength to help.
now in looking at the same example what did the disciples not do? they didn’t pray and they slept. that was not the time to sleep, natural desire, it was the time to pray so that they would not give in to the traps that satan had for then and as you know they fell into them didn’t they?
just a thought from the front porch…
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