INTRODUCTION

Man has no greater high priest than the Lord Jesus Christ for the Lord knows what man endures. Like man, He was tempted in all points. In a basic sense, man’s temptations involve three distinct facets: “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
See All...). During the Lord’s earthly ministry, He faced and conquered temptation in each area (Matthew 4:1-11 [1] Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. [2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. [3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. [4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. [5] Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, [6] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. [7] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. [8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; [9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. [10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [11] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
See All...). As such, the Lord is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15For we have not an 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.
See All...). He knows what it is like to face the temptation to depart from the will of God. He knows what it is like to be tempted to sin against the Heavenly Father. Yet, He differs from man in that His temptation was without the knowledge of sin, for He was victorious in all points.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Even through His trial and crucifixion, Jesus was tempted (Luke 22:63-65 [63] And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. [64] And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? [65] And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
  See All...; Matthew 27:34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
  See All..., 39-42). Yet, He never sinned (Luke 23:33-34 [33] And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. [34] Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
  See All...; 1 Peter 2:21-23 [21] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: [22] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: [23] Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
  See All...). Knowing the word of God can help us be more like Him during our times of temptation (Psalm 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): Study the record of the temptation of Christ. Match His temptation with the three areas in which man can also be tempted. What was the Lord’s weapon of choice in obtaining victory over temptation? How can you use the same weapon to withstand temptation today?
• Job longed for a daysman “that might lay his hand upon” both God and man (Job 9:33Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
  See All...). How was this answered in Christ?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for enduring temptation.
• Ask God to help you handle temptation as the Saviour did.

HYMN

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

Receive the daily devotions on your facebook wall by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/kingjamesbibledailydevotions.