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III-2.

Understanding Temptation
(Hebrews 2:16-18)

Jesus belonged to a family with no prestige, political connections or social standing. His father was a simple carpenter. His mother a peasant woman. In fact, some accused Jesus of being conceived out of wedlock. The rumors he heard, the people he met, and the language he was exposed to were crude.

Jesus was a member of a despised race. The Jews were, even then, victims of racial prejudice. He also lived in Nazareth, the crossroads of the world's wickedness. Every thug and international con-artist passed through Nazareth. To say, "He's a Nazarene," was an insult.

Jesus never saw the Colosseum in Rome, or the Parthenon in Athens. He never traveled to Alexandria or Pompeii. We know he could read, so he probably went to the synagogue school in Nazareth; but apart from that we know nothing of his education.

It's obvious that Jesus was not rich or famous. He was an ordinary man. The Scripture says, "We all know that he did not come as an angel but as a human being—yes, a Jew. And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, his brothers, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God, a Priest who would be both merciful to us and faithful to God in dealing with the sins of the people. For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us" (Heb. 2:16-18, LB).

We have so deified Jesus, that it's hard to imagine him as a human being. Yet, many, many Scriptures emphasize this fact:

John said, "The Word became a man and lived among us" (John 1:14, EB).

Paul said, "(He) was made in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:7, NAS).

We have so legendized Jesus that we can't imagine him in tempting situations. Yet many, many Scriptures describe him being tempted:

Matthew said, "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil" (Matt. 4:1);

Jesus himself said, "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptation" (Luke 22:28).

We have so spiritualized Jesus that we've lost the normal human elements of his personality. The writer of Hebrews said, "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin." (Heb. 4:15, NLB).

In fact, we can identify with him specifically because he is like us! We can identify with him specifically because he experienced the same feelings we do! We can identify with him specifically because he faced the same temptations we have!

It's also significant that he never relied upon divine bailouts. He never drew upon powers that are not available to us. When he was hungry, he did not ask God to work a supernatural miracle to provide bread (see Matt. 4:3-4).

When his relationship to his Heavenly Father was questioned he did not perform a reckless stunt that would break the laws of gravity in order to prove his divinity (see Matt. 4:6-7). When facing death he did not ask God to send angels to protect him (see Matt. 26:52-54).

So, what human feelings and temptations did he experience? If we are to take the Scriptures seriously, then we must admit that Jesus felt every human emotion. We must admit that he was in relationships conducive to envy, jealousy and resentment. We must admit that he was put in positions that could have lent themselves to lust, pride, and covetousness.

This may sound irreverent, but the Scripture is clear. He "was in all points tempted like as we are . . ." (Heb. 4:15, AV).

The important follow up: "yet without sin"; means that even though Jesus suffered all the aggravations, adversities and temptations of the human condition, he handled them without hurting himself or others. It means that he responded to life's trials with a healthy, rather than a neurotic attitude. It means that he overcame life's temptations through productive rather than destructive means.

They say you can't really understand someone unless you've walked a "mile in his moccasins." Well, Jesus did that!

Jesus can say to us, "I was like you in every respect. I can be a sympathetic advocate because I have been there! I, myself, suffered every temptation that is common to the human race, therefore I know how to help. I have experienced the limitations of mankind. I was tempted, yet I didn't allow my temptations to destroy me or hinder my mission!"

"I know how you feel. I, too, have known fear, anger, sorrow, frustration, impatience, disappointment and pain. I, too, have had my plans go astray. I, too, have watched my hopes evaporate. I, too, have seen my dreams die. I, too, have been rejected by family, denied by friends and betrayed by associates.

"My story proves that life is no respecter of persons. Nature treats us all alike! Circumstances don't play favorites! My story demonstrates that terrible things happen to both the good and the bad. Trials and tribulations come to everybody!" (See Heb. 2:16-18 and 4:15).

One of the most astonishing verses in the Bible tells us that, Jesus "Learned obedience from the things which he suffered" (Heb. 5:8).

If we believe he was born with a halo around his head, we are wrong!

Jesus can say to the young person: "So, your family doesn't understand you? They won't let you do your own thing? Well, mine didn't understand me either. They reprimanded me when I stayed in the Temple (see Luke 2:48-51).

Jesus can say to the housewife: "So, your neighbors are unfriendly? Well, mine tried to kill me" (see Luke 4:16,28-29).

Jesus can say to the businessman: "So your associates criticize you? Well, mine ridiculed and cursed me" (see Mark 3:6,21).

Jesus can say to the condemned: "You complain that the legal system is not fair? Well, I was condemned by a biased judge who listened to bribed witnesses" (see Mark 14:56).

Jesus can say to the deprived: "You complain that the economy is oppressive? Well, I had almost no possessions" (see Luke 9:58).

Jesus can say to the persecuted: "You complain that people are prejudiced against you because of your race or religion? Well, I was called every vile name in the book" (see John 7:20,32).

Jesus can say to those who've been forsaken: "You complain that your pals are disloyal? Well, mine ran away at the first hint of trouble and claimed they had never known me!" (see Matt. 26:74).

Jesus can say to the disappointed: "You complain that your plans didn't materialize and you failed to reach your goals? Well, I wasn't able to accomplish any of the things I wanted to do in my home town!" (see Matt. 13:54-58).

Jesus can say to the frustrated: "You complain that you can't get anyone to help you, and they let you down when the going got rough? Well, my followers left me in droves" (see John 6:66)

Jesus can say to the disadvantaged: "You complain that you had a deprived childhood? Well, I spent my first few years in a foreign country hiding out from a death sentence!" (see Matt. 2:13-15).

Jesus can say to those who feel out of place: "You complain that folks in my church are too pious and critical?' Well, the leaders of my religion condemned me as a sinner!" (see Matt. 12:14,24).

Jesus can say to the outcast: "You complain that you were born on the wrong side of the tracks? Well, society said I was illegitimate and, furthermore, my city was the pits!" (see John 1:40-50).

Jesus can say to the critical: "You complain that your church is full of hypocrites? Well, my `house of worship' was so corrupt, I blew up and staged a scene!" (see John 2:13-25).

"You say, `Even when I try to do good deeds, people criticize me?' Well, they said I was working for the devil when I healed the sick!" (see Matt. 12:22).

"You say, `People are so ignorant and stupid?' Well, I taught for years and made very little headway!" (see Mark 9:19).

"You say, `How can I be a Christian in a "dog-eat-dog" world? Everyone looks out for himself?' Well, on my last night on earth, my friends were arguing over who should get a promotion!" (see Luke 22:24).

"You say, `I'm persecuted for my Christian faith?' Well, I was threatened with bodily harm many times!" (see Luke 4:29).

"You say, `People are always whining and complaining and expecting a handout?' Well, my followers were no different!" (see Matt. 19:27).

"You say, `I'm discriminated against in my town?' Well, do you have a contract out on your head? I did!" (see John 11:46-53).

"You say, `When I try to teach people, they say, "Who do you think you are?" ' Well, my authority was questioned on several occasions!" (see Matt. 21:23).

"You say, `I never seem to accomplish anything. I'm frustrated at every point?' Me, too!" (see Matt. 23:37).

"You say, "I've been in danger and my prayers for deliverance weren't answered?' I, too, was in danger and no heavenly legions bailed me out." (see Matt 26:53).

In short, Jesus can say, "If you've got a heartache; I had it too! If you've got a problem; I had it too! If you've met a temptation; I met it too!" (see Heb. 5:2).

As Christians, we must learn that an impartial God, a consistent universe; and the long term eternal purposes of the kingdom must take precedence over me and my personal comfort. Jesus learned and lived by this principle.

The temptations of life weren't removed for Jesus and they won't be removed for us. Instead, we are empowered to overcome. John said, "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (I John 4:4).

Temptations come to us little by little, but we must not succumb to them. A certain blue jay was very proud of his plumage. He was the most admired bird in the community.

But, one day he heard a man singing, "Earthworms for sale. Earthworms for sale."

The little bird thought, "Oh, how I love earthworms! I wonder how much they are." Lighting on the old man's shoulder, he asked, "How much do you want for your earthworms?"

"Oh, they're cheap," the old man answered. "Just one feather for one worm."

The little bird thought. "No one would notice one little feather missing." So, he plucked out one of his beautiful blue feathers and handed it to the old man in return for a delicious earthworm. Then he soared into the clouds, happy and content.

The following day the Blue Jay heard the old man again singing, "Earthworms for sale. Earthworms for sale."

"Oh," the little bird thought, "that worm tasted so good yesterday, and no one even noticed that I had a feather missing. Maybe I'll have just one more." So again he plucked a feather and traded it for another earthworm.

The same scene was repeated the next day, and the next, and the next, until, finally, he plucked one feather too many. Suddenly he could no longer soar into the sky, no matter how hard he flapped his wings; no matter how high he jumped. And, since he could no longer fly, he died.

When the other birds found their friend, they buried him under an oak tree, and placed the following epitaph on his headstone:

Here lies a poor lost Blue Jay,
Hush your note each bird that sings.
Here lies a foolish Blue Jay,
Who for earthworms sold his wings.

Don't sell your wings! Don't let temptations take away your integrity and your spiritual witness!

***
(WC1966)

These messages are from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted 2004 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. Please use them in any way you think appropriate. The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in published works.

Sermons with the "I" prefix are from our 2004 Sermon Series: "Ten Tips For . . ." dealing with life lessons from famous Bible characters.
II are sermons for special days and occasions.

OUR RATIONALE:

After many years of pastoring small churches and teaching (especially college students, who represent the next generation), we have chosen to emphasize certain very relevant, neglected aspects of the Gospel—namely: personal discipline (maturity and responsibility); family relationships (marriage and child rearing); general life skills and common sense.

Our social problems today prove that these characteristics are so important. Young people need them and are asking for them.

We are semi-retired—still teaching and ministering on a part time basis. All we're really interested in now is using our experience to help others. If you would like our Sermon Service/New Perspectives, please avail yourself of them. There is no obligation.

We also have much of this information in books—provided to you at cost while the supply lasts.

We can not improve on the messages from the great Evangelistic Preachers. Material in our Essays and Sermons usually present the Gospel from a psychological point of view.

My ministry has been blessed immeasurably by reading other people's sermons. When I started preaching 57 years ago, I waited for "inspiration" (usually Saturday night, about midnight) before I began my sermon preparation. Then, I discovered it wasn't inspiration at all—it was sheer PANIC. I would have welcomed this service.

Comments are always welcome. (Please indicate if you do not want your comments to appear in New Perspectives).

Miles E Wesner