Our Sympathetic and Helpful High Priest

I have been reading in John Piper’s Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die as part of my devotions everyday. It has been so encouraging, particularly Day 27. It says,

“On the way to the cross for 30 years, Christ was tempted like every human is tempted. True, he never sinned. But wise people have pointed out that this means his temptations were stronger than ours, not weaker. If a person gives in to temptation, it never reaches its fullest and longest assault. We capitulate while the pressure is still building. But Jesus never did. So he endured the full pressure to the end and never caved. He knows what it is to be tempted with fullest force.”

That was extremely encouraging and puts a brighter light on Hebrews 4:15-16 for me. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, know exactly what I am feeling; he knows how hard it is for me when I am being tempted. Why do I not go before the throne of grace and beg him to deliver me from temptation? He will! Praise the Lord!

My prayer is that all of us will take verses 14 and 15 to heart and know that Jesus is our true High Priest, who was tempted but never sinned.