Hebrews 4: 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
I fear that too often we tend to not realize that Christ did suffer temptation. When He chose to pay the penalty for our sins, He chose to take on human flesh and to suffer the temptations of sin’s lies. We see some of those lies when He was being tempted by Satan in the desert. His body felt hunger, sexual desire, anger, and pain as we did; yet, He did not sin. His temptation never let up. Example, when you are on a diet the temptation to eat that piece of cheesecake lasts only as long as you continue to resist it; but goes away when you succumb to temptation. Christ did not succumb to the temptation; therefore, the temptation remained and built within Him. He spent every morning in prayer with the Father and I believe He pleaded with the Father not to allow the flesh He bore to win. He knew that if He sinned, there would be no propitiation for sin. If He did not remain perfect righteousness, the cross meant nothing. If we do not see the depth of His temptation, His righteousness, and His obedience, we can never see the depravity of our own sin against God. We must fight against sin within our own hearts and plead ever the more that God display His power and righteousness through us. If we make light of His temptation, we make light of our own sin. Philippians 2: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
His obedience was perfected by His overcoming the temptations of the flesh. His Glory was magnified by His taking on human flesh, conquering sin and dying a substitutionary death to pay our penalty of sin. For the eternal joy set before Him (the joy of sharing His love, joy and glory with us); He chose to come to earth, risk everything, and to die on a cross rejected by the very ones He came to save.
So, we must too take example and pray that God’s righteousness reign in our hearts, minds, and souls. We must study and grow on the milk of the word so that we might stand firm against sin’s tempting lies; holding tight to our faith, believing that He has provided us with the righteousness that He wishes to display through us. Our only defensive weapon in this fight is His word. Do you really believe that He has provided you His righteousness; then, if so why not display it in your life? This should be our prayer each morning that we might seek Him with all our hearts and lay aside our petty desires to desire Him our greatest treasure.