Calling on the Power of the One Who Overcame

Hebrews 2:18

The author of the book of Hebrews explains a little about Jesus' compassion through this verse in the end of chapter two by saying, "For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (ESV)

When I read this verse just now, it was almost like a "Oh wow, that actually makes sense," moments, if you know what I mean. We shall see. When the author says "he" or "himself", he is referring to Jesus, keep note. "For because he himself (Jesus) has suffered when tempted." Jesus was a human. We was man. He was also God in the form of man. We know that. Seeing as He was a man though, He was open to be tempted, which He was, by Satan. The author here also gives us information that Jesus suffered when He was tempted! He suffered. He wasn't invulnerable to temptation, He was a man. He suffered just like we suffer and struggle with our temptations. The only difference? He always overcame them. He was a man that was able to overcome any temptation that was thrown His way. So, by knowing that, the author finishes up by saying, "he is able to help those who are being tempted." He has been there. Jesus has gone through temptations that are worse than what we have to go through today. It's one of those "been there done that" situations. Whenever we are going through a hard time or are struggling with a temptation, Jesus is compassionate on us and tells that He has gone through temptation, and since He has, He can help us through it! We are not alone in temptation, He is capable of helping us seeing as He is God and has gone through His very own temptations.

The gist? When we are going through tough times and are in the midst of being tempted, we need to call on Jesus for help. He offers help to us! He can and will help us because He has been able to overcome temptations 1,000,000 times worse! When we admit that we can't fight through this temptation on our own strength and call on Him for help, He will rescue us out of it. It's even said here in verse 18. He can help those who are also being tempted. Let's start doing that then, huh? Since we are only human and can't overcome temptations on our own, why not ask the God who went through the worst temptations of all and overcame them for help?