Hebrews__2

 

 

Scripture

 

Hebrews 2:16-18

 

16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human 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 the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

Jesus was made fully human in every way, including being tempted to sin.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Temptation is inevitable if we identify as a child of God.

 

Even Jesus was tempted and suffered. He was tempted by the devil in the desert. He was tempted to back away from His mission and calling to die to save the sins from mankind. He sweat blood because of knowing what He would face. Physically, that only occurs if under tremendous stress and anguish. However, Jesus never sinned and always chose God’s will over His own desires of the flesh (while He was in human form).

 

Life Application

 

When tempted, run toward our Advocate and High Priest, Jesus. Don’t run toward the temptation.

 

Because Jesus was tempted and overcame, He is able to help us in our time of need. He is loving and compassionate and has literally been in our shoes. I love how Scripture not only says that He will be with us through the temptation, but it says He will HELP us through it too.

 

We are conquerors over sin because of Jesus. When His Spirit resides in us, we no longer have to fear or fall into the same traps of the past. Christ is greater and He conquered sin and death on our behalf.

 

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Romans‬ ‭6:5-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

If you feel overcome by the weight of your sin, run to Jesus, ask for forgiveness and repent. Allow the Holy Spirit to take over. Submit to God’s will for your life. Every time we say no to the flesh, it gets easier.

 

Dear Lord, thank You that You are our advocate and High Priest. Thank You for doing ALL the work on the front end so that we no longer have to struggle and be in bondage to sin. Thank You for freedom in You! I pray that we would run away from sin and sprint towards You when temptation hits. Thank You that You have already gone before us and can walk us through and help us in our time of need. Amen.

 

“May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.” Psalm‬ ‭25:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

-Michelle Gaddi