He Is Able

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Hebrews 2 (click the link)


KEY VERSE:
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. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
Jesus suffered when He was tempted.  He SUFFERED when he was tempted.  That word just jumped off the page to me.

We all know Jesus suffered on the cross (and leading up to his death on the cross) but how often do we spend time studying about the times when he was tempted by Satan?

Jesus went out into the desert for 40 days and nights, and during that time Satan tempted him.  In the Garden of Gethsemane Satan showed up to tempt Jesus, plus several other times in between those.  When Jesus was most vulnerable Satan showed up.

Let me say that again, when Jesus was most vulnerable Satan showed up.

When I am most vulnerable Satan shows up. Every single time.

Think back on the last time you were tempted to do something you know you shouldn’t have.  When was it?  A minute ago?  An hour ago?  A day ago?  I’m pretty sure most of us fall into one of those 3 time frames, I know I do.

I remember being a little girl, maybe 10 or so.  My brother Alex was 6 at the time and he LOVED Christmas.  I don’t just mean love but LOVE.  He was so excited about his presents, that he started snooping for them.  If I’m remembering correctly I didn’t go with him at first, I think I didn’t even know he was doing it at first actually.  But, once I knew he was snooping I didn’t want to ruin the surprise for myself.  So I didn’t go with him.  But I don’t think it was very long (maybe a day, maybe an hour, maybe a minute....not really sure) before I was up in my Dad’s closet with Alex searching through bags.  I gave in to the temptation.

Currently, Tres and I have totally changed our diet.  But I still love chocolate, cake, cupcakes, etc (pretty much any baked good or dessert item).  And If I’m presented with any of the above I probably am not going to say no, the temptation is so great for me that I cave.  I give in to the temptation.

If I had stood up to my temptation as a child and didn’t snoop for my presents would I have suffered?  Probably not.  I wouldn’t put that in the “suffering” category.

If I will just stand up to the temptations of dessert items and choose not to eat them, will I suffer?  Well...

These are very lighthearted examples, but there are so many more real examples of temptation that so many people face.  Lust, greed, lying, gossiping and so many others out there, many of those deal with real suffering and temptation.  Do we realize that we’re suffering even?

Jesus SUFFERED so that He could understand what it is like to be human.  However His sufferings were not staying away from Dad’s bedroom closet or not eating dessert.  He truly suffered in every sense of the word.  In a way that most of us cannot fathom.

Try to imagine what he went through: He didn’t eat anything for 40 days or 40 nights.  That’s a month and a half!  Can you imagine what that would be like?  I certainly cannot.  A half-day and I’m so focused on eating something that nothing else gets accomplished!  Just try to imagine how weak he must have been feeling physically, emotionally, mentally.  But not spiritually.  No!  Spiritually he was as sharp as a tack, he basically told Satan to take a hike!  But physically, emotionally and mentally he would have been truly suffering.

And in the Garden of Gethsemane he sweat blood he was suffering so deeply, agonizing over what was about to happen to him.  Trying to get his disciples to stay awake!  We don’t know for sure, but we can assume that the temptation taking place here was to go a different way, to not allow his death to take place.  Jesus could have made the choice not to allow the authorities to arrest him, he could have moved to a different town without being caught.  But he chose to follow God’s plan for His life.

Sometimes we really are faced with true suffering in our lives.  A lifelong dream doesn’t come true and we are faced with whether or not to trust God.  A loved one dies or is diagnosed with a terminal illness, and our faith is challenged.  In those times we are going through gut-wrenching trials and it feels like our world is crashing down around us and we just don't know if we can continue trusting God, we really can lean on Jesus because He experienced true suffering and knows exactly what it is we’re going through.

Whatever it is you are going through, let Him in! He truly does understand.  He wants to be your strength, no one else is able to like He is.

Jesus understands.  Jesus wants to help us. In fact, he alone is "able to help those who are being tempted" in a way that provides the strength and comfort and hope to endure to the uttermost.


POINT OF ACTION:
To spark your imagination into the suffering Jesus endured while being tempted, consider watching the following videos.

The first video is a series of drawings depicting Jesus' time in the desert. It's quirky fun, but incredibly moving and eye-opening.

The second video is taken from The Passion of the Christ, and it depicts the suffering Jesus endured while being tempted in Gethsemane.

Ponder the idea that Jesus became human just like us, "fully human in every way." Then take some time to thank Him for enduring the suffering, not only of the cross, but also of the many temptations He faced. Thank Him for the ways that He has been a "merciful" and "faithful" minister of God's grace to you.


WHO AM I?
Hey guys!  I’m Kate Sansom and I’m married to the handsome devil in the wheelchair, Tres.  I am so blessed to be married to him, it is still like a dream sometimes.

This week I am particularly excited because my family is coming to Texas for Easter!  My parents, both of my brothers and my sister!  They’re all going to be here.  You won’t find me any happier than when my family is all together in one place.

Plus, my mom will probably bring chocolate for Easter baskets.  So that’s good. And yes, I already know I will be giving in to the temptation of eating that chocolate.  At least I won’t be surprised when it happens.