September 20 | Hebrews 2:18

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DAILY READING

Hebrews 2:18

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REFLECTION

Tools for Dealing with Temptation

By Todd Marti

"For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18, RSV, other translations here)

Let’s dig into that last phrase, “he is able to help those who are tempted.” How does Jesus do that? Undoubtedly in more ways than we perceive, but his examples from his temptation in the desert, at Gethsemane, and during his passion are surely among them.

Recall that in those instances Jesus endured extreme testing. He went through 40 days of absolute fasting, social isolation, and active spiritual assault during his time in the desert. He suffered excruciating anxiety in Gethsemane, knowing that he was about to be tortured to death. And then he had to actually go through that torture.  Yet he not only got through those tests, but did so in ways that bestowed myriads of blessings on myriads of souls. How did he do that?  Two ways come to mind.

First, he drew close to the Father. He did that through intense prayer during his agony in Gethsemane. He withdrew from others so he could completely focus on the Father, putting into practice what he earlier taught. Luke 22:41; Matthew 6:6. He reduced his prayer to an essential petition, something he had taught his disciples earlier in his ministry. Matthew 26: 39, 42, 44; Matthew 6:7. He kept at it, persisting in his petition, also something he had taught. Matthew 26: 39, 42, 44; Luke 11:5-8; 18:1-8. Those prayers worked. The Father helped Jesus successfully complete his passion, starting with the abrupt turnaround from his great anxiety to his bold, decisive, protective, response to his arrest. Matthew 26:43-46; John 18:4-9.

He got through the testing in the desert by drawing near to the Father in a different way, by focusing on scripture. He examined each temptation by comparing it to what God had revealed in his word, drawing strength from the certainty that provides. Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; Luke 4:4, 8, 10.

He combined those things on the cross, praying Psalm 22. Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34.

Second, he helped others during His sufferings.  He healed one of the folks arresting him who had been injured during the scuffle. Luke 22:50-51. He comforted the good thief on the cross next to him. Luke 23:40-43. Those were likely bits of respite during his ordeal.

I know from experience that those practices work. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night to unreasonable anxiety about the wisdom/achievability of good things I have committed to do. I have found that the best way to respond is to use that time for either intercessory prayer or to read scripture. When I pray, I keep it simple, focusing on rote prayers like the Lord’s Prayer or one of the creeds, followed by the names or categories of the folks I’m praying for, and keep at it until the anxiety goes away.  When I get up to read scripture, it is usually scripture related to writing one of these devotions or to what we’re studying in a small group I’m in. Both practices focus me on God, both are intended to help others, and both get me past the anxiety. You can never go wrong following Jesus’ example.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank you for going through all that you did for us, and for all the helps you give us. Please send your Holy Spirit to us when we go through trying things so he can draw us to the Father and help us see ways to deliver the Father’s love to others.

Additional resources:

What We Can Learn from Jesus’ Temptation: Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13  

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TODD MARTI

I have been connected to UALC since 2000 in various small groups and as a co-manager of the UALC Community Garden. I’m married to Kelly Marti, and the proud father of Sarah Marti. I am happy to be writing these devotions.