Jesus Can RelateSýnishorn

Jesus Can Relate to Our Temptations

Do you ever want to do something even though you know it’s wrong?

For three years, everything about Jesus’ life was uncomfortable. He shared uncomfortable truths with people in power, endured daily attacks from His critics, and regularly heard about plots to kill Him. On top of it all, He was constantly on the move and living off the generosity of others. But His path could have been different. Early in His story, He received an offer to skip past all the suffering and take an easier route.

Today you’ll read about a time that Jesus was sorely tempted. Take note of what the devil offered Him:

• An easy way to meet an immediate need (hunger).
• An easy way to convince people of Jesus’ power.
• An easy way to change the world.

Jesus is fully human and hasn’t eaten for quite a while, so He’s hungry. The devil offers Him a shortcut to food and so much more. At the end of the Bible, there’s a vision of the future where Jesus rules the world and everyone recognizes His power; the devil knows this and offers Him what sounds like an easier way to get there—even quoting Bible verses to make his proposal sound like spiritual wisdom.

How does Jesus overcome this hard-core temptation? Well, remember how we talked about Bible reading as a crucial habit? This is a great example. The devil knows the Bible, but so does Jesus. Jesus is not convinced to sin by a few out-of-context Bible verses. Instead, Jesus resists because He understands the real story of the Bible: not self-preservation, but God making sacrificial choices to save the world.

Because Jesus knew the Bible, He also knew His purpose—and how it would include hard, uncomfortable choices for the good of others. His road to changing the world required pain, suffering, and death. No easy way out, and no shortcuts.

What the devil offered sounded so desirable in that vulnerable moment, and Jesus was tempted, but He resisted. We can find comfort in the middle of our temptations because we know Jesus can relate to the struggle.

We can also relate—in some ways—to Jesus’ purpose. We too are called to make hard, uncomfortable choices for the good of others. We can be tempted to compromise or abandon our calling, so how do we stay consistent under pressure? When we rely on Jesus to lead us through the temptations He has already conquered Himself, His example reminds us that resisting momentary pleasure can lead to lasting joy.

Some of Jesus’ closest friends gave in to temptation. He didn’t judge them. Instead, He offered a chance for a fresh start. If you’ve given in to temptation or even made a habit of giving in to temptation, today is your opportunity to start again and choose a new path.

You can overcome temptation. Lean into prayer, the stories of Jesus, and trusted relationships, and you can find lasting freedom.

Pray: Dear God, thank You for always offering me another chance. Help me to recognize and resist temptation when it comes. In Jesus’ name, amen.