The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-08
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
Jan. ., 1sos-Matthew iv, Iii.

The temptation of Jesus has been affirmed most
difficult of all events to interpret. The difficulty
is reduced to a minimum If one keeps in mind
that Jesus had true human soul This was the
citadel the devil sought storm. In his human
nature, Jesus must needs make the transit from
the innocence which may be called instructive 10
that which is the outcome of choice. This transit
not made entirely in this ordeal of he temp
tation, though this may have been its crucial
epoch. The traditional of this dread
encounter-"the Forty-day Mountain is sinyu-
larlv harmony 1t is still "a painless desert,
dusk with horrid shades" Thither Jesus had
gone, impeed by the consciousness of his Mes
sianc mission, which may have fully dawned
upon him in His baptism. He sought to adjust
himself to His calling-to test His resources, and
determine plan of procedure. 1t is per-
haps, Indifferent whether one believes this a lit
eral approach of personal devil. a iguratve
description of a moral struggle entirely subjective.
The first temptation use the miracle-work-
iEg power (of which He had just come to con-
sciousness) purely for personal ends and untrust-
fully of his Fathers The second tempta-
ton to create an emergency which would test
his Fathers care. The third solicitation to
been we'll said: After all, what the devil does
in the desert Is to sum up in expressive symbols
dreams of the Jews, who only disguised under
holy words a carnal and earthly ambition = > 3
in the transit from natural innocence to the holt
ness of choice. the second Adam triumDhed glo-
rlously He did this, too, as man, not God.
1t was the victory of our humanity as Jesus per-
tectly identified himself with us: just such a vic
used, also, the very are to handle:
Faith, prayer, scripture. As Jesus, in His human
sistance of temptation shall we be. There is
both exemplary and inspirationaI force in the
He was tempted in His human nature He re-
sisted and conquered as man. We may, we
must tread the same way.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES
Was led up: Purely voluntary on His part.
j. f. b.
BY an inward mpulse.-Bengel.
To be tempted: This temptation is a sample of
our Lords whole state of humiliation, and an
epitome of all the temptations. rot only moral,
but especially spiritual. -.Bengel
His human soul had power fall.--Olshausen.
To be tempted during the forty days. so that
the three-fold temptation is but the acme-Graul.
Command stones-bread: Temptation by bodily
appetite. Bene4 til this temptation all gluttons,
drunkards and debauchees have fallen.-Whedon.
Not bread-but word-God: If Israel spent forty
years. divinely provided for, as man L will await
Cast thyself down. The second temptation rises
to the qualification of admiration. An those car
lied away by love OF pomp, qualification of mem
fashion, enthusiasm for fame, induced to pervert
fall by this emptation.-Whedon.
Not tempt the Lord: To create danger, either
TO put the promised security skeptically to the
proof, or wantonly to demand display of i'll.
L. b.
All these give thee: The third temptation APP
fallen in myriads. They have believed the devil
To be the true dispenser of this worlds endow-
ments.-Whedon.
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
patent brllet-proof cloth is claimed to have
been invented be made into garments of light
weight, and absolutely protect the wearer. Did
the divinity of Jesus form such impenetrabe
armor? Was it impossible for suggestions of evil
to enter His soul? Then how He tempted as
we are? Such theory reduces Jesus's encounter
to a sham fight
by the divine The temptation was addressed to
Jesus true humanity. AS second Adam he
overcame where the first Adam failed As very
man. He learned By what He suffered, and is
able to the tempted, being a true and in
spring EXemplar.
The devil showed Jesus short cut to his king
DOM He is doing the same for men to-day. lie
whispers TO the bank cashier: why plod? Why
let funds lie idle? Manipulate and double them,
troubles you, endow college" Alas, increasing
numbers fail to say Get thee hence!'
The devil has subtle power to spread mirage
Of all the kingdoms of earth. and all their glory
and ''barbaric gems OF gold. before the eyes OF
the ambitious. and proffer them all if only one
will install. him master. Pity is. many fail
to thrust the temDter through with the sword of
the spirit, and say: 1T stands written Worship
the Lord. and Him only shalt thou serve -
The advantage of familiarity with the Bible is
is the Word of God. is the Christians trust
lest weapon.