November 26
The Continual Burnt Offering" W e do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."
The temptation of Jesus was not to see whether He would fail. It was rather to prove that He would not. The temptation by Satan only made evident the holiness and strength of the Lord in contrast to the weakness and failure of mankind.
In considering the temptation, it is important to remember that Jesus did not cease to be God when He became man. He is God and man in one glorious person. The temptation was designed to make this evident. He could ever say, “The ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” (John 14:30). There was no traitor within as there is in us. He was ever the sinless One, as Satan himself proved when he retired defeated from the conflict.
An old Welsh collier who taught a Bible class gave his young men full liberty to discuss all Biblical problems, but often cautioned them with the advice, “Whatever else ye do, lads, keep the character of God clear.” So in considering the holy and mysterious theme of our Lord’s temptation we may well bear his words in mind and refer them to the blessed Savior. Be sure to keep the character of Jesus clear. If He were not the sinless, unblemished Lamb of God, He would have needed a deliverer Himself and could not have saved us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Christ at God’s right hand unwearied
By our tale of shame and sin,
Day by day, and hour by hour,
Welcoming each wanderer in;
On His heart amidst the glory,
Bearing all our grief and care;
Every burden, ere we feel it,
Weighed and measured in His prayer.