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Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus knows what it is like to live in human flesh. He can sympathize with our weaknesses. He understands our temptations because he has fully endured it.

Suppose for a moment, that you are standing behind one of those big diesel-powered tractors. You are holding a rope attached to the back of the gigantic machine and your job is to keep the monster tractor from moving. That’s right… as the engine revs the smoke bellows from the stack, and as the gears engage, your job—in this man against machine moment— is to stand strong and keep the tractor from moving forward. Think you can do it? Yeah, I know it’s a foolish question. In one nanosecond, you will be pulled along behind the tractor. You will feel a fraction of the power before you go down. Now suppose that you could keep the tractor from moving. As the tractor engaged all its power, you held your ground. If you could keep the tractor from moving, you would feel the full power of the machine.

Jesus felt sin’s entire power, its total force. He was tempted but never gave in. He was tempted to the max, yet he never yielded. That’s why we can approach God’s throne with confidence. There we find grace and mercy in our time of need.

Talking Points

• Tell God your greatest temptation, the one that keeps knocking you off your spiritual feet.
• Thank Jesus for enduring the full extent of sin’s power.
• Ask for strength when temptation rears its ugly head.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise of grace and mercy to help in my times of need. Too often, the waves of temptation seem to bowl me over. Help me stand strong in your strength. In your name. Amen.

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