The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"He Knows"
The divine nature of the Lord Jesus Christ could not be tempted.
"God cannot be tempted with evil" (James 1:13).
The human nature of the Lord Jesus, however, was subject to temptation during His earthly lifetime.
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit in the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" (Matthew 4:1).
The incarnation of our Savior made possible His temptations, which the writer of Hebrews reveals to have been prolific. "We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). All this speaks to the blessed wonder that the love of Christ for us led Him not only to the ultimate sacrifice of the cross, but to the day by day challenges He experienced as a man much like ourselves, and in more ways than we often realize. "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4).
Few truths about our Lord more motivate us to look to Him in times of our own temptations and challenges. If we rightly perceive that He knows what we face when challenged, we will more likely look to Him for the grace to lead us through. In truth, we must see Him as knowing far more than do we ourselves what it means to be tempted and attacked by our spiritual, worldly, and fleshly enemies. Perhaps most importantly, He knows how to overcome the difficulties we face.
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
The Lord Jesus knows the temptations, trials, and tribulations we face. He knows how to arise in the power of God to face them as a man. He knows how to overcome them as a man dependent on God. He knows. The truth of such monumental grace must be planted deeply in our hearts through the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit's ongoing nurturing. "In all points tempted like as we are" - including whatever present temptations and challenges that confront us. A compassionate Lord awaits us at His throne of grace, and one who can help us access the power of God because He lived such a life as we live. Yes, knowing such truth today, and seeking to know it better tomorrow, will go far in escorting us to the throne where help awaits because we know that He knows.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
(Hebrews 4:16)
Weekly Memory Verse
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
(I Timothy 1:14)
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