MEMORY VERSE: ‘Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered, and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.’ Hebrews 5:8-9.
LESSON AIM: To show that, in His preparation to be our High Priest, Jesus learned to be an overcomer.
As one of us, He [Jesus] was to give an example of obedience. For this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our experiences. “In all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren.” Hebrews 2:17. If we had to bear anything which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are.” Hebrews 4:15. He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exercised on His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met temptation, and overcame in the strength given Him from God.’ Desire of Ages, page 24.
1. Where did Jesus say He is now? Revelation 3:21.
NOTE: ‘And to all the faithful ones who were striving against evil, John heard the promises made: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Revelation 2:7; 3:5, 21.’ Acts of the Apostles, page 588.
2. What does He want our experience to be? Revelation 3:21.
NOTE: ‘John saw the mercy, the tenderness, and the love of God blending with His holiness, justice, and power. He saw sinners finding a Father in Him of whom their sins had made them afraid. And looking beyond the culmination of the great conflict, he beheld upon Zion “them that had gotten the victory . . . stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God,” and singing “the song of Moses” and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2, 3.’ Acts of the Apostles, page 589.