Spurgeon: October PM
* 10/03/PM
"He Himself hath suffered being tempted."
--Hebrews 2:18
It is a common-place thought, and yet it tastes like nectar
to the weary heart--Jesus I was tempted as I am. You have heard
that truth many times: have you grasped it? He was tempted to
the very same sins into which we fall. Do not dissociate Jesus
from our common manhood. It is a dark room which you are going
through, but Jesus went through it before. It is a sharp fight
which you are waging, but Jesus has stood foot to foot with the
same enemy. Let us be of good cheer, Christ has borne the load
before us, and the blood-stained footsteps of the King of glory
may be seen along the road which we traverse at this hour. There
is something sweeter yet--Jesus was tempted, but Jesus never
sinned. Then, my soul, it is not needful for thee to sin, for
Jesus was a man, and if one man endured these temptations and
sinned not, then in His power His members may also cease from
sin. Some beginners in the divine life think that they cannot be
tempted without sinning, but they mistake; there is no sin in
being tempted , but there is sin in yielding to temptation .
Herein is comfort for the sorely tempted ones. There is still
more to encourage them if they reflect that the Lord Jesus,
though tempted, gloriously triumphed, and as He overcame, so
surely shall His followers also, for Jesus is the representative
man for His people; the Head has triumphed, and the members
share in the victory. Fears are needless, for Christ is with us,
armed for our defence. Our place of safety is the bosom of the
Saviour. Perhaps we are tempted just now, in order to drive us
nearer to Him. Blessed be any wind that blows us into the port
of our Saviour's love! Happy wounds, which make us seek the
beloved Physician. Ye tempted ones, come to your tempted
Saviour, for He can be touched with a feeling of your
infirmities, and will succour every tried and tempted one.