Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-01-25

tion-HaIf an Hours Study of the
scriptures-Time Well Spent.
"The Baptism and Temptation Of Je-
sus" is the subject Of the lesson for Jan.
20. The portion of Scripture used Is
Matt. 3: 13-4: IL. The ministry of John
drew into the thinly inhabited country
along the western slopes Of the Jordan
Valley thousands of men from Jerusalem
and the neighboring region, most OF
whom came from curiosity. Not few Of
them were strongly attracted by the stern
preaching of the Baptist, his uncompro-
missing proclamation Of fundamental
truths, his novel manner and ascetic hab-
its. Many joined his ranks, submitting
to the rite OF baptism which he admins
tered to those who professed repentance
conversion or complete change or IRE
to bring it into accordance with divine
principles. This ministry exerted wider
influence upon the Jewish people than
might be supposed even from the New
Testament. Josephus speaks of johns
remarkable work. Yet, it did not last
long-not much more than year-and
the greatest popularity of John was but
few months after he began to preach,
in the autumn of the year ~ A. ID. AT
this time he was probably the center OF
interest among a large circle Of jews,
the most conspicuous character OF the
season.
1t was during the winter or early spring
that Jesus came from Galilee to the
point on the Jordan where John was bap-
between the sea OF
Galilee and the Dead Sea, nobody knows
exactly where. The beginning Of Jesus
work marked the elimination Of Johns,
and from that time forth the popularity
of John began to wane, even as he him
self said, HE must increase and must
decrease"
Explanatory.
"Then comethsS Jesus from Galilee."
He had been at Nazareth during the
years Of youth and early manhood. How
those years were spent we know abso-
lutely nothing save what can be inferred.
Neither can we form very clear opinion
as to the degree of Jesus understanding
of his mission previous to his entering
on active work. Certainly the very act
of coming to John for baptism indicates
that Jesus felt that a new era in his
life was beginning, for which he must
prepare. What Jesus knew OF Johns
work would be likely to show him the
close relation between such preaching of
repentance and the Messianic reformation
on which he was about to enter.
John perceived instinctively, some say,
the stainless purity Of his visitor, and
felt himself unworthy to administer rite
that presupposed repentance or change
of life 1t is probable, however, that he
knew more or less of Jesus blameless
life at Nazareth, Notwithstanding his own
hermit existence, and that he spoke as
one who knew the character of his cousin
to be above reproach and beyond COM
parison.
Suffer it now" Jesus recognizes the
justice of Johns exclamation, but COM
mands silence in view of other circum-
stances. 1t is indeed inappropriate for a
perfect man to come to an imperfect one
for baptism, but there is another aspect
to be considered. Jesus is now to begin
a new career, the demands Of which will
call for immense spiritual resources. The
change from the quiet years at Nazareth
to the busy labors of the public ministry
made necessary not indeed repentance
for sin, but a metanoia, change of mind,
an inner revolution, even for Jesus him
self Those who fancy that our Saviour
took this or any other critical step in his
life without struggle do not read the gos-
pels Alright.
"He saw the Spirit of God descending
as q dove" Luxe says 'the Holy Ghost
descended in q bodily form, as dove"
1t is useless to speculate on the ultimate
causes of such a phenomenon, or indeed
on the nature of the .voice out of the
heavens" that accompanied it. At such
an event one would expect remarkable
signs. The sign was intended not only
for Jesus. but for John as well; and long
afterward the Baptist treasured himself
and his doubling disciples as to the Mes
siahship of Jesus by recalling this scene.
The baptism was Immediately followed
by the temptation. Fresh from the spir-
itual exaltation of the one our Lord was
hurried to the spiritual testing of the
other. 1t is a true picture of life. Our
own greatest temptations are apt to come
at times when we think ourselves the
strongest. Unlike Jesus, we are not al
ways prepared against such attacks.
The temptation is represented in a Sc
ries of pictures. doubtless because Jesus
related it to his disciples in that way. But
the difficulties of conceiving that the
events did actually occur in the objective
physical sphere are great, and there is
nothing in the record TO shut out the pos
sibility of an inner temptation, q struggle
within the soul. quite as real as any outer
argument with visible Satan could be.
At the same time one cannot dogmatize
on the subject. Whatever we believe
about it we must believe that it was a
real, not formal, temptation. Jesus
must have been capable of yielding, else
he could not be tempted. He was tempt
ed in all points like as we are"-not in
all particulars, but in all essential re-
spects. The tempter appealed to his
bodily needs, to his ambition, to his faith
in God.
Satan attacks every man at the point
where he is easiest of approach. 1t may
be- the mans best point or his worst In
Jesus it was almost his best-his desire
to command the loyalty of men that he
might uplift them. In the answers which
our Lord gave we may find it decided
once for all that the end does not justify |
the means.
The answers from Scripture show not |
only that Jesus was familiar with the |
Old Testament, but that he held it to be |
divine truth. The words quoted are in |
each case strikingly appropriate to the |
occasion, and the connection Is not an |
accidental but an actual one.
The supreme audacity of Satan in |
all the kingdoms of the world |
ms his to dispose of Is characteristic Of |
the powers of evil in all ages. Once |
grant the claim of evil men that they |
rouf roI the destiniea nj societv and we !