Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Temptation. It’s everywhere at Christmas.
It’s tempting to eat all the chocolates in your advent calendar at once.
It’s tempting to spend more money than you have on presents for the kids.
It’s tempting to get more lights for outside, so you’ve got a few more than the neighbours.
It’s tempting to drink ‘one more’ bottle of beer after Christmas dinner.
We can’t escape it.
We’re weak though, and we give in, because… it’s Christmas! We’ve always got a reason to give in to temptation, don’t we? There’s always a pressure to just go for it, normally just from ourselves. Our sinful, selfish desires make it easy to give in to temptation. And it’s not just at Christmas, it’s constant.
Jesus definitely wasn’t weak, but he did face temptation. He didn’t just breeze through life on earth, unfazed by everything around him.
Jesus had no sinful desires, but felt the weight of temptation around Him.
He understands the temptation to steal something he wanted.
He understands the temptation to lust after a beautiful woman.
He understands the temptation to have another drink, when he knew he’d had enough.
Even as a kid, he would have faced temptations.
He understands the temptation to lie to his parents.
If he was here today he would understand the temptation to fire into all the advent calendar chocolates.
Hebrews 4 says that Jesus was “tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.”
He faced EVERY temptation. Imagine the pressure he must have been under. We buckle under even a little pressure… ‘Go on, go on, go on… ok then!’
But despite the intense pressure He faced, He didn’t cave. He responded to each and every temptation perfectly. He knew what was true, what was right, and he lived it. He had no sinful desires that he wanted to satisfy.
He’s the only person ever who hasn’t given in to temptation. His perfect holiness was never compromised. He was truly set apart. He was truly different. He was spotless. He was sinless.
Yet, He absolutely understands what it is to face temptation.
Jesus gets the pressure of temptation. He felt more pressure than anyone. He understands what you and I are facing today. He gets it. He knows.
Not only does he understand, He did what only He could do, to free His people from the grip of sin. He offered a perfect sacrifice, His own life.
Now, if our trust is in Him, we can come boldly to God’s presence. We can find grace and mercy for each and every time we fail, and strength for the next battle with temptation. As we do, we’ll find rest, knowing that one day we’ll find perfect rest, freedom from temptation for all eternity!
O Come Let us Adore Him!
A thought to remember: Jesus faced the fullness of temptation, but He didn’t give in, he was completely sinless.
A question to ask: What temptations are you facing right now, and how can trusting Jesus help you face them?
A bit more to read: Hebrews 4:1-16
A song to sing: Before the Throne of God Above