“He himself has suffered when tempted.” Hebrews 2:18
It is a commonplace thought, and yet it tastes like nectar to the weary heart: Jesus was tempted as I am. You have heard that truth many times—have you grasped it?
He was tempted to the very same sins into which we fall. Do not dissociate Jesus from our common manhood. It is a dark room that you are going through, but Jesus went through it before. It is a sharp fight that you are waging, but Jesus has stood foot to foot with the same enemy.
Let us be of good cheer: Christ has borne the load before us, and the blood-stained footsteps of the King of glory may be seen along the road which we traverse at this hour.
There is something sweeter yet—Jesus was tempted, but Jesus never sinned. Then, my soul, it is not needful for you to sin, for Jesus was a man, and if one man endured these temptations and didn’t sinned, then his members in his power may also cease from sin.
Some beginners in the divine life think that they cannot be tempted without sinning, but they mistake; there is no sin in being tempted, but there is sin in yielding to temptation. Herein is comfort for the sorely tempted ones.
There is still more to encourage them if they reflect that the Lord Jesus, though tempted, gloriously triumphed, and as he overcame, so surely shall his followers also, for Jesus is the representative man for his people; the Head has triumphed, and the members share in the victory. Fears are needless, for Christ is with us, armed for our defense. Our place of safety is the bosom of the Savior. Perhaps we are tempted just now, in order to drive us nearer to him.
Blessed be any wind that blows us into the port of our Savior’s love! Happy wounds, which make us seek the beloved Physician. You tempted ones, come to your tempted Savior, for he can be touched with a feeling of your infirmities, and will succor every tried and tempted one.
Adapted from Morning and Evening.
