The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-08
Sunday School Lesson for january 9.
JESUS TEMPTED.
Matt. W. 1-11.
BY j. e. GILBERT, ID. d., IL. d.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

(rhe author will publish an examiner
containing one hundred questions on the
lessons of this quarter. The examiner
VIII be mailed to any address in any
quantity at cents per copy and may be
used in oral or written review in a class
or by an individual. Orders should he
sent to Dr. j. E. Gilbert, Washington. ID.
c., not later than February /, that the
mailing list may be prepared)
INTRODUCTION - Immediately after
His baptism Jesus went forth to meet the
arch-deceiveI of the race. As lie came
TO deliver His people from SIN Matt /,
2D it was necessary that He should first
conquer the father of all evil, thereby
displaying His power and laying the
bash for confidence. Moreover Ills VIC
tory might be instructive as we'll as illus
trative OF that warfare which must pc
continually waged until the end OF time.
The encounter was in the wilderness,
supposed to have been between Jericho
and the Mount of olives. 1t was direct
and personal conflict, a duel, no other
persons being present 1t was a solicited
struggle, the Spirit leading Jesus into
1t (Verse u, that there might be u trial of
strength, and the championship decided.
The first man fell when Satan met him
in the garden Gen. iii, 81, although warn
ing had been given, but the second adam
u y.
forever after to wear the victor's crown.
HUNGER The temptation of Jesus
was possible only because He had a hu-
man nature. John /, 1D. Had He been
wholly Divine no solicitation to evil would
have been attempted for God cannot be
tempted James !, 10. 1t had been proved
at the outset of the race that a mere
man would fall. 1t remains to be seen
hat tl.,,. Cn1- hn ,a1 Frn,
righteousness. A series of three attacks
will decide the matter. The first onset
was on the lower plane of the body (verse
y. precisely where Eve broke down. Gen.
i'll, q. Jesus endured long fast extend
ing through forty days probably for spir-
itual exercises, for to that purpose fast
ing had been practiced from time i'm
memorial. At the end He was hungry,
and the tempter's opportunity had come.
Verse 3. Make these stones bread -
He said. A very simple and easy task!
sly and insinuating suggestion it was,
exhibiting the cunning of the evil spirit.
The Divine Jesus might easily supply by
miracles the needs Of the human Jesus.
ANSWER.-Why not follow this hint
Ii for no other reason, because Satan Of
fered it. His words, however plausible,
must always be rejected. Every life
must be conformed to the will Of God.
Whatever regulation may have been
made by the infinite Father is i'll wisdom,
and any departure from it will result in
disaster, although human wisdom may
conceive Il way apparently better Be-
sides, the physical life of Christ, was APP
pointed to be distinctly human, the same
as that of other men. subject to the same
limitations (Phil. ii y, that 1t might be-
come Il pattern to all. Had His body been
supernaturaly supported He would not
have known mans infirmities Qleb. iv,
15), neither would He have come into
close relation with men, Il John /, j..
Besides, there We're higher needs than
those Of the body CRom. viii, l3. that the
soul might prosper AL these reasons
are doubtless included, and others also,
in the answer given (verse q, which Jesus