Because He Lives We Can Relate to Jesus

Because He Lives We Can Relate to Jesus.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

Devotion for Today

After Jesus was baptized by John, He spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan.

He was fasting for the entirety of His time in the wilderness. So not only was He being tempted, he was probably hangry—or at least tempted to be.

And that’s where Satan hit Him first.

“If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread” (Matthew 4:3).

But Jesus didn’t fall for it. It would have been awesome to satisfy His hunger, but He knew God’s plan for Him was best.

Next, Satan suggested Jesus test the prophesies written about Him.

Have you ever made a deal with God. Like, “God, if you will do this one thing, than I’ll do XYZ?” Or “could you just give me a sign to show You are with me?” That’s what Satan was tempting Jesus to do. And He responded in kind: Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7).

Last, but not least, Satan tempted Jesus to take the easy way out. Jesus knew what He was facing, and Satan told Him he could give Him what He was after without all the pain. Without the heartache and physical torture Jesus knew He would endure, Satan offered to make Him the king of the world right then and there. But Jesus knew God’s way was better. It might be harder, but it would be eternal.

So instead of submitting to temptation, Jesus chose to follow God the Father and what He had in store for Him. And we can do that, too. We can follow the example Jesus set because He didn’t just die for us, He also rose. Now He lives in our hearts and helps us overcome the temptations we face, because He’s seen them all before.

Our redeemer lives.