Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:14–18 (RSV)
Lenten Scriptures often begin with the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. We are in Mark's year, so we do not hear the more extended version in Matthew or Luke. Long or short, that Jesus was tempted at all is an important thing to note.
Temptation is anything that diverts our hearts and minds from God. Most temptations are small things. We err when we think a temptation must be some great and terrible sin. The evil one knows that those rarely work for even the most wretched human being can see great wickedness for what it is.
It is the small things that tempt us away from God. It does not happen all at once either. We might hear some little thing about our neighbor, on the grand scale of events, hardly anything at all. We share it with someone else, not overly concerned with the truth of it. We have yielded to temptation.
A drop of water, continually falling on granite, over time the stone is worn away. So it is with temptations, one small one following another over time has us so far from God we can't begin to imagine how it came to be.
We hear the temptation of Jesus to recall that He too was tempted. The evil one came to Him with a small matter, 'If you are the Son of God....' It is the same seed of doubt that permitted Eve to reach for the fruit. The fruit was not evil. It simply was not for us.
Jesus, show us that you are God's Son. It is a small matter, says the evil one. A small matter except it is calling Jesus to no longer trust the Father.
Jesus spoke the Word of promise from God. Even when the devil tried to use Scripture against Jesus, Jesus would not abandon the Father. The temptations failed because Jesus would not surrender God's promises.
When we are tempted, cling to the Word of God. Hold fast to Jesus in the time of trial. Dismiss him with the Word. If he tries to use the Word against you, laugh at him for foolish a thing. He is a mighty shield against the wiles of the evil one.