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He Is Able

Writer's picture: Rev. Tim MachtelRev. Tim Machtel

“Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 (NLT)

There’s an old Bugs Bunny cartoon where bugs interacts with a construction worker. In the process of the interaction the worker gets hit over the head with a container. The worker then proclaims, “I’m feelin’ mighty low.” Things in life can make us feel this way sometimes. Our feelings can range from minor disappointments all the way to severe depression. It is a tough world we live in with very real suffering, pain, and temptations. It is very easy to feel overwhelmed, like we face the suffering and temptation alone.


The author of Hebrews reminds us that there is hope. There is hope that we are not alone in our suffering and temptation. We are not alone in our feelings of despair and disappointment. We are not alone as we go through the daily ups and downs of life. The author of Hebrews reminds us that we have Jesus Christ, the pioneer of our salvation, who was made perfect through sufferings. It is by the example of Jesus that we know what it looks like to cling to God even in the midst of suffering. We have the perfect example of what it means to go through temptation and suffering and overcome them through the power of God.


There are many guarantees in Scripture. One of these guarantees is this, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33 NIV] It is a given that we will have trouble, suffering, and temptation in this world we live in. It is also a given that Jesus lived here on this same earth, lived in the same flesh and blood body, and faced the same suffering and temptation. The awesome thing for us to remember and hold fast to is that Jesus overcame it all. Jesus overcame death. Jesus overcame suffering, temptation, and even death to give us hope that we can overcome through Him. This is the great hope we have in Jesus Christ.


Give Jesus your suffering, he is able! Give Jesus your temptations, he is able! Give Jesus your broken relationships, he is able! Give Jesus your health, he is able! Give Jesus your finances, he is able! Give Jesus your bitterness and anger, he is able! Give everything to Jesus who is able to help us when we are being tempted. Jesus knows what it means to suffer and be tempted. Give everything to Jesus, he is able to help.


As Jude, the half-brother of Jesus writes, “Now to the one who is able keep you from falling, and make you stand without blemish in the presence of God’s glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever.” [Jude 24-25 NIV]


I look forward to sharing more about this with you in worship this week. I can’t wait to see you in church!

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