Hebrews 2:18 (ESV)
For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
“There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.” As I was reading this passage from Hebrews 2, I was reminded of this quote from Richard Sibbes in his book, “The Bruised Reed.” I often find myself practically believing that there is more sin in me than there is mercy in Christ. I don’t actually believe this in my heart and mind, but I do notice myself living as through I must clean myself up and prepare myself in order to ask Jesus for forgiveness and receive his mercy. It’s not enough that my straying from temptation into sin brings guilt and shame, but I then add to my misery by denying the gentle, loving Savior to bring mercy, grace, and reconciliation to my desperate heart in its moment of extreme need. The author of Hebrews challenges his readers to remember their Savior. To remember Jesus in the moments of trials and temptations. Why? Because only Jesus is able to help those who are being tempted.
I find myself living at the crossroads of temptation and sin. It is easy to believe the lies of the enemy and seek to find joy and fulfillment in something other than Jesus. More than that, it is often the lie that temptation equals sin where my heart finally gives in. My heart embraces a fatalistic attitude that sees no hope in withstanding the heat of the temptation, so I just readily give in more often than not. This is when I need to remember Jesus.
Jesus suffered when tempted. It is hard for me to remember that Jesus was tempted. He is holy and perfect. Knowing this, I will neglect the truth that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. He was tempted as any human being is tempted, yet without sin. Jesus was tempted to the utmost and never sinned. He never once gave into the full force of temptation by the enemy. And in never yielding to temptation, he suffered. He suffered as he endured the full force assault of temptation.
The good news is that Jesus fully understands my every temptation. He doesn’t just have a head knowledge or a theoretical working knowledge, he has real world life experience of what it means to be tempted by the enemy. He is the only one who knows what it means to never yield to temptation. This unyielding Savior is ready and able to help me in my moments of temptation. He stands by my side, holding my hand as I walk through the temptation and trial. His gift to me is not always to remove the temptation, but to walk with me as I endure the time of temptation.
So, the point of decision becomes this… will I humble myself and ask for help? Will temptation reveal my helplessness and utter dependence upon the One who is able and willing to help? In the heat of the moment and in the midst of the trial, Jesus is standing there with me. What I want and what I desire is to have the same humble, desperate response that Peter had when he began to sink in Matthew 14, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus will immediately reach out his hand and take hold of me. For he is able to help those who are being tempted.