Jesus is Able to Help Those Who Are Tempted (Hebrews 2:18)

"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18)

Part 1 of 6

There are many differences between Christianity and every other religion in the world. But the main difference and the thing that makes Christianity far superior to anything else is Jesus. Christianity is the only faith that has a Savior, everything else relies on the good works of the follower. There is no security in this. But because Jesus is the Savior of the World He has offered us grace, mercy and assurance to the things promised in the Bible. One of these wonderful truths is found in this passage of scripture in Hebrews 2. "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).

No other religion offers a helping hand such as this. But Jesus stepped out of His home in heaven and into humanity to redeem mankind from the power of sin that held us captive. He underwent suffering and temptation in this world so that He was well equipped for His role as our High Priest. He offers us grace in every circumstance and is able to empathize (or, feel what we feel) when we suffer in this world. This is because He too suffered.

Jesus Didn't Suffer as a Sinner

Jesus wasn't tempted with evil, in other words He didn't suffer as a sinner because the lure of the world held something over Him. He suffered in humanity because He was sinless born into a world consumed and overpowered by transgressions. Jesus was tested and tried by each experience and interaction with people proving His faithfulness and steadfastness. This was where He proved He was able to be our faithful High Priest in service to God on our behalf.

Since Jesus suffered He is able to empathize with us when we undergo suffering and temptation in this world. This passage of scripture, as written in the Amplified Bible, magnifies the intent of meaning to what the author wrote so that we can gain full revelation into this wonderful truth. "For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]" (Hebrews 2:18 AMP). Jesus suffered on our behalf. He experiences everything that we are subjected to so that He is able to intercede for us. More than that, he will run to, relieve and assist us when we are suffering because this is His role as our High Priest.

With this in mind, it is important to look at Jesus in humanity. We will look at His suffering, His testing and how He overcame them. Then we will look at how He helps us when we suffer and are tried. Next we will look at the causes of suffering in this world, by looking at temptation, testing and suffering as a believer for the name of Christ. When comprehending these things together in relation to Jesus' role as our High Priest, we will appreciate and understand His intercession for us. The result is knowing that we can run to Him in every circumstance and time of need.

Tomorrow we look at Part 2: The Testing of Jesus