Gentle Reader,

“We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV)

Jesus. He is God.

He is man.

And so He was tempted.

Alone in the wilderness for 40 days. Hungry. Tired. Contemplating the task before Him. Knowing the trial. The pain.

But also the joy.

Seeing you. Seeing me. Knowing that we, amazingly, will be worth all of it.

The Devil came at Jesus at His weakest. He was physically worn down. His mind and His heart strained to stay trained on the Father. He experienced all that it means to be human: the distraction, the exhaustion, the onslaught of fears. He knows precisely what self-discipline means, far more deeply than we.

Because He didn’t give in.

Not once.

Satan threw everything he could at Jesus. Told Him to make Himself some food. Offered Him, the King of Kings, the limited authority that comes with an earthly kingdom for the price of throwing away His own throne. Goaded Him to throw Himself off of the highest point of the temple and make a scene.

Pushed Him to take the easy way out. Avoid all the messiness.

And save nobody.

Jesus didn’t listen.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

For all entries in the Jesus: 31 Days with the Savior series, go here.