10-18-2016

Good Morning All,

       Hebrews 2:18; “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

    In our backyard we have two apple trees.  This year they are producing loads of apples.  The one tree produces bigger cooking apples while the other produces smaller eating apples.  The eating apples are especially sweet this year.  I have picked a lot of apples already but there are two apples that are near the top of the tree that look perfect.  I wanted to get them so badly but I couldn’t quite figure it out.  I have an apple picker but there are too many small branches in the way.  I think that if I use my longest ladder and then stand on the top rung and hold onto a new growth branch, I could probably get those two apples.  As I was situating my ladder and climbing up, my wife said, “I don’t think apple picking is covered by workmen’s comp.”  Curses, foiled again.  So I climbed down and went with the apples we had.  Later, I looked out the kitchen window and there they hang, taunting me, tempting me to try again.

    So what is it about temptation that causes us to stop thinking intelligently?  There are more apples than we will ever use; with the vast majority easy to get.  Yet I was willing to risk life and limb (mine and the tree) to get two apples.  Why was it tempting?  Mostly because of what temptation says about our sinful condition.  Everything is about me; it is to benefit me and the rules do not apply to me.  Those two apples represent a challenge for me and my sinful nature does not want to admit that it is beyond me.  Temptation is the beginning of sin.  James tells us that “desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin.” Temptation leads us to sin’s door and more often than not, we walk in.

    The thing about temptation is that it knows our weaknesses; it knows where to poke and prod and to find all of our vulnerabilities.  Why is it that when we are trying to diet, all there are on TV is food commercials?  Why, if we are struggling with gossip, there is always a lot floating around us?   Why, if we are trying to remain faithful to our spouse, some many good looking people are paying too much attention to us?  Why, if we are struggling with our finances, are we in situations where taking a little money from here or there seems so easy?  It seems so unfair to be tempted so intensely; no one can know how hard it is.  Yet this is exactly why Jesus came to earth, to experience the same temptations we do.

     We usually don’t think of Jesus like this.  He was tempted to take what wasn’t his.  He was tempted with impure thoughts of women.  He was tempted just like we are but he withstood and overcame the passions and selfish desires. He did this so we would have a chance as well.  He gives us the ability to withstand temptation and sometimes we do but our sinful nature is still strong so sometimes we fail.  Jesus knows how hard it is for you and in his great love; he forgives you your sin.  He gives you the strength to stand up and the grace to pick you up when you fail.

Gracious Father, standing up to temptation is so hard for me.  I am weak and unable to resist.  I need your love, I need your strength.  Send your Spirit to defend me and protect me.  Lead me away from temptation and into your loving arms.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret