Matthew 4 - Temptations

2008
Saturday, December 13

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. Matt 4:1

It is good to know that Jesus was hungry. Many times we think because Jesus is God (which He is of course), He is above human weakness, like pain, hunger, thirst and so on and so forth. In actual fact, He feels it too. Jesus was not above human emotions and feelings. He knows what its like. That is why the passage in Hebrews says it so well

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." Heb 4:15.

And so what if Jesus knows our feelings and failings? The next line says it so well

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Jesus knows whats it like to be in need. And because He knows, He knows what we need to get over it. He is not a big eye in the sky watching over us (even though that is how God is being described in the bible), but He is close to us because He shared our experiences.

Father I thank you for giving Your Son Jesus Christ to live on earth so that He can experience what being human is like. This means I know He knows what I feel and how wretched I am. This gives me more confidence in You in times of need. In Christ name I pray Amen.