Was it possible for Jesus to have sinned when He was on earth?

Most theologians say no, that because of His very nature, it was impossible for Jesus Christ to sin. So most of us think, Well, if that were the case, then He really didn’t go through the testing I go through. I mean, it was kind of a rigged exam. If there was no possible way for Him to fail, how can He sympathize with my humanity? But the fact that Jesus Christ could not have sinned actually made His suffering, His temptation, worse than anything we have ever experienced. 

Let me illustrate it for you this way. Imagine there is a small pebble and a giant boulder, both in the middle of a raging sea. What happens to that small pebble? It’s quickly picked up and carried away. But that immovable boulder just sits there and feels the full brunt of the raging sea. The fact that it cannot be moved means it experiences more than the pebble ever did. 

So, in a sense, the fact that Jesus could not have sinned meant that He felt the full attack of Satan against Him, and because of that He understands our weakness. Hebrews 2:18 says, “Since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” When you come to Jesus and tell him of your failures, He says, “I understand. I’ve been there; and because of that, I forgive you.”

Someone has well said that to know all is to forgive all. Jesus knows all. He has experienced it all, and because of that He is our great High Priest who offers us unlimited understanding and unconditional forgiveness.