Can Jesus Really Understand My Temptations?

Ask Pastor John

Desiring God

John Piper, Unknown, 163859, Pastor, Ask, Theology, Desiring God, Religion & Spirituality/christianity, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality, Questions

4.8 • 3.8K Ratings

🗓️ 8 May 2015

⏱️ 9 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jesus did not have a sinful nature like ours, but that doesn’t mean he can’t identify with our temptation. He was tempted as we are, but had to remain without sin to save us forever.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is a question from Justin who asks a really sharp one.
0:08.4	Pastor John, we are told Jesus was tempted in that he can sympathize with our temptations
0:12.9	as a result.
0:14.5	But doesn't it seem like the point of commonality between my temptations and Jesus' temptations
0:20.2	is external.
0:21.2	That is, the devil offered him the kingdoms.
0:24.6	Someone could walk up to me and offer me stolen money.
0:28.1	Both of these are external temptations, even if they don't personally draw us into
0:32.3	evil.
0:33.3	But with a Christian, temptations seem deeper on account of indwelling sin, which of
0:38.6	course Jesus never had.
0:41.0	So can Jesus really identify with me when he doesn't know the experience of indwelling
0:46.0	sin raging war against the Spirit?
0:50.0	Aren't our temptations more powerful than those faced by Christ on earth?
0:57.3	Oh my, is that a good question?
0:59.0	That is a good and hard question.
1:02.0	So I'm going to give the answer, the answer I, as I see it anyway, in a sentence, and
1:08.3	then I'm going to dig in and try to explain where it came from.
1:12.0	Jesus identifies with us to the greatest degree possible that is good for us.
1:21.4	If he went beyond that, he would not be helpful for loving.
1:26.6	If Jesus identified with you or me by sharing in my indwelling sin, he would cease to be
1:37.6	a great high priest.
	...

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