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

him as chief, thereby becoming vice-reg-
ent. The age-long struggle might thus
be terminated.
D1SMISSAL.-The real issue was blunt
ly stated in the last solicitation. In the
first and second, as well as in the third
Satan had sought supremacy. Now that
his motive Is uncovered, Jesus deals with
him in a summary manner "Get thee
hence" was the command The very
presence of the foul spirit was offensive
and could not be longer endured (verse
1O). That dismissal was proof of Christs
superior dignity, He exercised authority
over one who proposed to clothe Him
with authority. Jesus will some day pos
sess all power Matt. xvii, 1S), and He
will rule the world as the rightful king
Phil II, 10), but this result will not be
attained by compromise or subordna-
tion. Before the fiend departed another
Scripture text was hurled at Him Deut
vi, 1O, declaring that all worship should
be paid to God. This struck the vital
spot, for Satan was a traitor, seeking for
himself honor and dominion, No wonder
on hearing that he departed. There was
nothing to be hoped from one who de-
MED his right to be served Games iv, ..
MINISTRY.-As Satan retired heavenly
visitors appeared on the scene (verse ~.
Previously they had been present on i'm
portant occasions duke ii, -, and sub
sequently they came when his interests
were involved Matt, xviii, p. But now
they come to minister unto Him, a SER
vice which they render to righteous men
0Ieb 1, 1D, under all dispensations Gen.
xix, y. We are not told precisely what
assistance they rendered to Jesus in the
wilderness. 1t may be that they supplied
Him with food even as the ravens fed
the prophet q Kings xvii, 6). 1t may be
that they gave that approval and SYM
pathy which comforted and strengthened
Him. 1t may be that they brought mes
sages from the heavenly world glad It'd
ings, the rejoicing of pure spirits over
the signal victory achieved But specu-
1ation is unnecessary perhaps improp-
er. The plain Scripture record is beauti-
full in it's brevity and announces the fact
of supreme concern. Despite every effort
to read out of the passage certain words
and change the meaning, a practice in
dulged by some, it must stand as proof
OF intimate relation between Jesus and
the being of light Matt. XVI so.
CONCLUSION.-We learned how Jesus
resisted the devil. Only in part was His
temptation and victory an example for
His disciples. I'VE share His first eX-
perience when poverty tempts us to vio-
late Gods law that we may provide our
daily wants. We share the second exper-
fence when we are tempted to neglect
duties which Providence lays upon us, or
to run into needless dangers or to as
sumo uncalled-for hazards, or, when in
performing duty, we make ostentatious
displays of faith in God and fail to fol-
low the path marked out for use. We
share the third experience when, for the
sake of power or wealth, we conform to
worldly customs or employ Satan's in
struments, in seeming to do Gods SER
vice" The one weapon in all conflict is
the word of God (Eph. vi. 10. Let every
man expect to be tempted, but let him
remember that every victory brings him
nearer to the kingdom of light James /,
12).