Hebrews 4:15 (ESV Strong's)
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
He is Able to Sympathize
God sent Jesus to represent Himself to man AND to allow Jesus to be able to represent man to Himself. The later part of that statement is what the author of Hebrews is talking about in the above verse. Jesus needed to take upon Himself a form of a servant in order to serve mankind as their mediator and intercessory representative. Therefore, to be able to represent man, Jesus needed to feel every temptation that man would, could and should feel, yet, without sin. See how the stories in the Gospels that demonstrate the truths of this verse. In fact, the writer of Hebrews stated earlier in the book:
Hebrews 2:17-18 (ESV Strong's)
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
The prophet Isaiah stated that Jesus would come and be “acquainted” with our grief, sorrows and shame:
Isaiah 53:3 (ESV Strong's)
He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
So, if you and I experience temptation and succumb to it, did Jesus ever experience those temptations?
Did he ever get to the place of desire where he would do something against Gods will to satisfy that desire? (Satan tempted Him with turning bread to stones.)
Was he ever tempted to “flex” and use the power he had over others for his own gain? (Satan tempted Him to throw Himself off the pinnacle of the Temple to make sure the angels saved Him.)
Did he ever get to the place where he wanted to take a short cut to success that would disobey Gods will? (Satan tempted Him to allow Satan to give Him the kingdoms of this world and avoid death and resurrection.)
Did he ever feel rejection and was tempted to retaliate or withhold his love? (The disciples, the their on the cross, the religious leaders; yet, He interceded for their forgiveness them while hanging on the cross.)
Was he ever betrayed and tempted to hold back forgive? (Judas and Peter and the rest of the disciples turned their back on Him).
Was he ever rejected by his family and tempted to be unkind? (His family thought He was nuts).
Was he ever singled out to be shamed by the public and acquiesced to their demands? (The cross!)
Jesus was tempted in all ways, yet without sin. Here is what Peter would eventually write:
1 Peter 2:22 (ESV Strong's)
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
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