Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"He is able to aid those who are tempted."
Text: Hebrews 2:18
THE SUFFERING OF JESUS
Was there any meaning in Jesus suffering as He did? The following text reveals precious truths concerning the significance of His suffering.
“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted,
He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
Hebrews 2:18
1. Being tempted (peirastheis)
a) The word “tempted” simply means “tested”.
b) Jesus was indeed sorely tested by the devil (Cf. Matthew 4:1-11).
2. “He Himself has suffered”
a) Suffering is here tied in with testing
b) How did Jesus take His suffering?
i) He anticipated it (Cf. Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23).
ii) He accepted it.
iii) He faithfully endured it till it was “finished” (Cf. John 19:30).
c) “Has suffered” (Greek perfect tense “peponthen”)
i) There is significance in the employment of the Greek perfect tense.
ii) The significance of Jesus’ suffering did not end at His death.
iii) The significance of His suffering extended beyond His suffering.
3. “He is able to aid those who are tempted”
a) Indeed Jesus is able to come to our aid.
b) He understands our temptations/testing.
c) He comes alongside as our “merciful and faithful High Priest”.
The ministry of Jesus did not end when He ascended to sit at the right hand of God! He continues to function as our eternally “merciful and faithful High Priest”!