The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-08

quoted from Moses. Deut. viii. 81. one
verse of Scripture silenced Satan.
POPULARITY next attack was
on a more elevated plane. Understanding
the nature and mission of Christ, as the
Son of God, Satan proposed a method for
demonstrating to the former and ac-
complshing the latter a short route in
deed to popular favor. Taking him, in
thought probably. into Jerusalem (verse
81 he offered to place Him on q pinnacle
of the temple. From that elevation
Jesus might cast Himself down. He need
not use His own power to prevent the
force of gravitation, what had been re-
fused in the former attack. lie might be
assured of the protection OF angels
(Verse 81, and to make the assertion good
Satan quoted Scripture psalm Xci, III,
following the example of Jesus. This
was very adroit pleading. If Christ had
complied the result must have been mar
Nelous. A human form seen for q mo-
ment at such giddy height, then de-
scending to the earth unhurt. would have
aroused Jerusalem and the nation. Peo-
pie would have FASTENED to declare the
divinity of Jesus and to pay Him suit
able homage. And the work IIe came to
do might be begun with large following.
REBUKE.-"The end iustifles the
means" says many a man. intent on
success, forgetting that the method EN-
ployed in every enterprise is quite as i'm
portant as the object sought A definite
plan had been laid down in advance for
the life and work of Jesus in the world
by which He purposed to accomplish
His high mission There were to be years
OF teaching and service, sometimes in OBJ
Scurity, sometimes with opposition
Uuke xiii, 3D. sometimes with popular
ity (Matt. xxi, 81. The earthly career
must end in tragedy, for so had the
prophets foretold lisa. lii. 81, and so was
atonement to be made. The Son of God
must not turn aside from this fore-or-
dained outline of His ministry, even
though some other method might promise
quicker results. He tells Satan this. In
doing so He quotes another Scripture,
showing that the whole of the Divine
word, not a single sentence, must be TAX
EN- into account (verse y. lie administers
also in that quotation Deut. vi. 16), a
singing rebuke, reminding the adversary
that as Lord He was worthy of Satan's
reverence, and that any solicitation to
evil was not only superiuous but bias
phemous.
POWER.-Satan accomplished nothing
in the last encounter, although he came
with Scripture on his lips. One more, a
final, attempt he determines to make. BY
some subtle influence he causes our
Lords mind to behold as from some lofty
mountain all the kingdoms of the earth
(verse 81. What comprehensive and int
spring view, sweeping In all points of
the compass, over the rightful possess
sions of the Lord Jesus psalm l.. 10),
now alienated from Him through sin. To
recover what was lost was the great pur-
pose of His advent Matt. xviii, ID.
Standing by His side, Satan proposes to
deliver the Kingdoms of the world to
Jesus. There and then He will settle for
ever, the supremacy over the inhabitants
of earth, ending the struggle, and giving
title to the property (verse y. one con-
dition was imposed There was to be a
purchase. The price to be paid was that
Jesus was to worship Satan, acknowledge