July 05, 2019: (reworked from July 5, 2014) SOAP #3501:  Hosea 2-5; Hebrews 2

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Observation:   Love demanded that He help us; holiness demanded that the help come from one who had personally experienced temptation.  God is so HOLY that love cannot be allowed a short cut to help the one loved.  But God is so LOVING that he was willing to do what holiness required.  It is amazing!   It was God’s Holiness and Love that held Jesus on the cross to suffer and die for our sins.

Because Jesus suffered through times of temptation when he was living as a man here on earth, he is able to help those who are being tempted now.  Jesus understands our trials not because someone told him about them, not because he read about them, not because he overheard someone talking about them, but because he experienced them!   He has been here; He has done that!  No one will say to the Judge, “You have no right to judge me; you do not know how bad my life was.”

Application:   Jesus can help me; He has experience dealing with the devil; he knows how to defeat Satan.  Jesus can help me; He has experience dealing with the weaknesses and limitations of being human; he knows I cannot rely on the flesh, so he gives me His Holy Spirit.  Jesus can help me; He is finished dealing with his own trials; Satan cannot distract Him from helping me.   Praise the Lord!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you were the only one who could do for me what I needed. In great love, you sent your son to die in my place.  My life is yours.  It is the least I can do. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!