The Nature of Jesus? Temptations and the Bible
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15). We are also told, “He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the seed of Abraham (believers) … since He Himself was tempted in that which He suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb 2:16,18). There is something about these verses … that always bothered me a little.
I have always understood that Jesus was “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Ro 8:3) – but was not sinful flesh … like me. One reason for the virgin birth was to interrupt the inheritance of a sin nature from Adam. Jesus was never inclined toward evil … as He was not infested with a sin nature – possessing time bombs that love death … like me. So how could He really know what kind of battles I face? How could He come to my aid and sympathize with my struggles … when He did not have a sin nature? And wouldn’t an inclination toward some sin make for a more ferocious battle than temptation toward that same sin – absent the inclination? Well, I wasn’t too enthusiastic about voicing these concerns. Quite honestly, I was willing to let this sleeping dog lie. But, as I was working through the material on, “The First Homosexual and the Bible,” and “Man’s Nature: One’s Invisible Metaphysical Imprint and the Bible,” I stepped right on him. Avoidance … was no longer an option. Two points emerged.
Point 1: He can “sympathize with our weaknesses