Today's Scripture Reading (May 9, 2021): Hebrews 2
In "The Picture of Dorian
Gray," Oscar Wilde argued that "the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to
it." Maybe it is the easiest way to deal with temptation, but the problem
is that when we give in to temptation, often the temptation multiplies. But if
we don't, then the fight is joined, and the battle, often, is long.
There
has been a long argument in the church about the temptation of Jesus. For some,
it is a ridiculous notion. Therefore, he was God and couldn't be tempted; at
least, not like we are tempted. But the author of Hebrews argues the reverse.
Not only was Jesus tempted, but he suffered because of the temptation. He
refused to get rid of the temptation by yielding to it. Charles Spurgeon said
that;
"Many persons are tempted, but do not suffer in being tempted. When
ungodly men are tempted, the bait is to their taste, and they swallow it
greedily. Temptation is a pleasure to them; indeed, they sometimes tempt the
devil to tempt them… But good men suffer when they are tempted, and the better
they are the more they suffer."
If
Charles Spurgeon was correct, then Jesus, being God, must have suffered more
under the weight of temptation than we could ever imagine. The effects of
temptation on Jesus, who is better than we are, was not that the temptation was
easier to withstand, but that resisting it caused him even more suffering. And
yet, he was willing to endure that suffering.
Hebrews
says that because Jesus suffered when he was tempted, he can help us when we
are tempted. Whenever we go against the advice of Mr. Wilde, when we experience
temptation, we will suffer. It is part of the process of resisting temptation.
And just because we suffer is not an excuse to give in to temptation. We have
Jesus as our example, who resisted temptation and suffered more than we do. Charles
Spurgeon continues his consideration of this passage with this thought.
"Moreover, do not make it any cause of complaint that you are tempted.
If your Lord was tempted, shall the disciple be above his Master, or the
servant above his Lord? If the Perfect One must endure temptation, why not you?
Accept it, therefore, at the Lord's hands, and do not think it to be a disgrace
or a dishonor. It did not disgrace or dishonor your Lord, and temptation will
not disgrace or dishonor you. The Lord, who sends it, sends also with it a way
of escape, and it will be to your honor and profit to escape by that way."
It is the reality of each of our lives that we are
tempted. But we also have a way out of that temptation. Paul assures us of this,
not that he will not give us more than we can handle in life, but rather that we
will not be tempted beyond what we can bear. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is
common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond
what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a
way out so that you can endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). But, even amid
our temptations, Jesus will accompany us, helping us through our temptations.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Hebrews 3
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