July 30 - Jesus Under Pressure

Read Hebrews 2:8b-18

Context: Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were being pressured to return to Judaism. Paul is explaining the absolute supremacy and complete sufficiency of Jesus.

Text:
8 b In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says,
"I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."[b] 13And again,
"I will put my trust in him."[c] And again he says,
"Here am I, and the children God has given me."[d]
14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for[e]the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6 (note...this reference from Heb 2:8a)
Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
Hebrews 2:17 Or and that he might turn aside God's wrath, taking away
taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever been in a position to help someone avoid temptation? Maybe as a parent you knew that your child wanted revenge against a friend who hurt him or his stuff, and you were able to intervene and turn his attention to something else. Or, as a friend you have helped another get through a tough situation without taking the easy way out. How were you able to help someone else avoid sin?

In reality, we have probably been tempted in almost every way in this world. Some temptations are so counter to our nature that we aren't even interested. Others seem so desirable that we can hardly ignore the magnetic pull. Having felt that pull and having given in to some temptations that resulted in horrible consequences, we are made wiser so that we can help others find ways to avoid giving in to their temptations.

Jesus has been there, too. He was tempted in every way a man could be tempted in the world at his time. I know that there is no way I could have avoided the sins he was tempted with...I don't have to fast for forty days to hear food calling my name (hmmm...that makes me think of the cookies on the counter...NO COOKIES BEFORE LUNCH). And I would have taken any option to have avoided the pain of the cross.

Since he has faced incredible temptation and has come through unscathed, he is able to provide clear direction and advice to us when we are facing temptation. And knowing that he has beaten these temptations makes his advice more valuable than advice from someone who has never been tempted. God knew that we needed someone who had faced the same trials, so he put his own son in that position so that we could succeed.

When faced with a temptation that seems impossible to ignore, turn to your Bible and read the words of Christ. Drop to your knees and pray to the one who has been there and who has made it through. He will provide a way for you to conquer, too! But he can't help you if you don't ask...