**Sip Saturday is written by our Saturday morning contributor, M.H. Elrich. A beautifully gifted Christian author who seeks to honor the Trinity in her writing. She hopes that her words will encourage women to draw closer to God, whether that is through her fantasy series or her weekly devotionals.
Cornerstone Scripture:
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
-Hebrews 4:15 KJV
Lust. Murder. Envy. Gluttony. Lying. Stealing. Taking God’s Name in Vain. Idolatry. Cursing. Dishonoring one’s parents. Breaking the Sabbath. Pride.
Name a sin.
Jesus was tempted by it.
Jesus.
That’s right.
You read it.
It’s written in the true Word.
Jesus was tempted for forty days in the wilderness by Satan. Although not all of his temptations were recorded, we know of three (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). These three temptations encompass many sins. The first was the lust of the flesh, where Satan tempted Jesus to sin when he was hungry. The second was the pride of life, where Jesus was tempted to use his power over angels inappropriately. Finally, the devil wanted Jesus to worship him in exchange for power, a temptation concerning the lust of the eye. Jesus refuted every temptation with Scripture.
Jesus was probably tempted later to sin, not just in this time in the wilderness. I believe this because Jesus went through many trials. Consider the needy crowds, the arguing disciples, the lying Pharisees, the betrayal of Judas. Do you honestly think he wouldn’t be tempted to act wrongly in those situations?
Yet, he never sinned. This is amazing and astonishing because of his humanity, but not because of his Godhood (for God cannot sin). Ultimately, Jesus’ sinless life is humbling. We can not be perfect apart from Jesus. Without his sacrifice and his resistance to sin, we wouldn’t be able to stand before God.
Jesus isn’t callous. Because he faced every temptation, he is empathetic. He knows both the nature of the sin and how to overcome it. He is an example and a perfect counselor for us. This should cause us to come to Him in humility, confessing our sins, and asking for forgiveness. Because of his grace and mercy, he will forgive us and teach us how not to sin again. He always provides an escape route when we are tempted, and his Word will remind us what we shouldn’t do.
When faced with temptation, let’s turn to Jesus, the high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.
Let’s pray.
Dear Lord, help us to bring every sin to you. Let us confess it openly and turn to you whenever we are tempted, trusting you will give us a way out. Thank you for empathizing with our pain and paying the penalty for our sins. Nothing we could do will ever be enough, and I am so, so grateful. In Your Son’s Name, Amen
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