Not A Piece of Cake
Opening Prayer
Father God, It’s hard to imagine the depth of Your love that gave Your Son for me, but I’m very grateful.
Read Hebrews 2:10-18
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[10] In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. [11] Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. [12] He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” [13] And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” [14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. [16] For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. [17] 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. [18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Why was it necessary for Jesus to "share in our humanity"?These verses make it clear that temptation can involve suffering. Far from being something to treat lightly–“Go on then, just one more slice of chocolate cake–you’re tempting me”–it’s a serious thing that we can’t escape. Jesus was faced with temptation in the desert (Matt. 4:1-11), and before the anguish of the cross he prayed fervently that he might not have to bear it (Luke 22:39-46). The fact that he was God–divine–didn’t make it easier for him to resist the temptation to give in or give up. It caused him the greatest suffering to contemplate the depths of our sin and to submit to the punishment of the cross for it, but he who is like us in every way–fully human–did. So when we’re tempted, Jesus fully understands how hard it is for us not to give in or give up, and he will help us to resist and continue to live in obedience to him. Growing in faith will certainly involve temptation; Jesus became like us in order to deliver us from sin, so that we can grow to be like him.
Apply
In what areas of life do you find it most challenging to obey? How can you grow in your ability to resist temptation?
Closing prayer
Ask the Lord to help you have the determination and strength to resist temptation and live as he wants you to.
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