The Tupelo journal., 1904-01-15

OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE SECTION.
baptism of Matt. 3:11-17
baptism of Jesus 1911
Baptism of Jesus....."........Luk 1921, "
Temptation of Jesus. ...........Ma 4:1-11
temptation of Mark liz, 10
Temptation of LUX Alb
Time and Place.-This lesson follows the
last without a break. The time was A. d.
~. Jesus thirtieth year, and the place, one
or the fords OF the lower JORDAN.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Then cometh Jesus to be
baptized" Jesus did not come as the
Pharisees had done, in a critical spirit,
but in full sympathy with Johns move-
ment and with the definite purpose of
identifying Himself with it. Suffer it
now" "D~sferential, half-yielding, yet
strong in its very gentleness. Bruce.
For thus it becometh us TO fulfill all
righteousness" To John it seemed in
appropriate that he should baptiZe this
pure and kingly Soul that had just come
to him. Jesus did not discuss proprie-
ties with John, but said that it was
right and His duty to be baptized. 1t did
not imply confession of sin on Jesus
part; it meant identifying Himself with
ooA NV Ahthts "illSh II NCd I "
be of God. Compare Luke 7:24-30. 1t
was, too, a dedication of Himself to the
great work that was calling Him.
The heavens were opened unto Him"
Mark says He saw the heavens" etc.
1t is not said that this was seen except
by Christ. 1t was a vision, coming to
Him at the crisis of His life. The bap-
tism was not purely physical. To him
1t was a baptism with the Spirit of God
and with power TO 60 the great work
that was opening before him. He saw
the Spirit of God descending as a dove"
Not a dove, but as a dove. The symbol
OF all that is gentle and pure and good.
"A voice." This was Jesus heavenly
recognition, an assurance that God was
with Him. 1t was for Himself and His
strengthening, not for the people. Luke
adds that the vision came while Jesus
was praying.
We must remember when the tempta-
ton came. 1t was just after Jesus pub
lie conservation to His great work. The
voice OF God was still ringing in His
ears-'Thou art My beloved Son." He
was conscious, as never b;fore of Him
self, OF His power, not necessarily at
this time miraculous power, and of His
great mission. Consciousness of power
quickens the imagination, and two pos
slDllltles rush into the mind-the right
use OF that power and a less high and
more POPULAR wrong use of it.
The first temptation came to Jesus
in connection with the human side of
His nature. He was hungry. Hunger
represented human wants, and the ques-
ton was, whether Sonship was to mean
exemption from these, or loyal accept
ance OF them as part Of Messiah's ex-
perlence. AT bottom, the issue raised
was selfshness or self-sacrifce."-
Bruce. He was working out the prob
lem of what His life must be. He was
the Son of God, and wa it necessary for
Him to suffer even the papgs of hum
ger like the very poor? Must. He be
the brother of all men to that extent?
A life OF physical comfort was within
His reach. He had only to put out His
hand and take it, but in taking it He
would have been laying down the cross
that He knew it was His mission to bear
through life. The attractions were
great, the struggle real, but He did not
Tor an instant swerve from His purpose.
There were greater things to be con-
'ioered in life than physical comfort.
than bread. Man shall not live by
bread alone"
The second temptation can be better
understood if we remember that there
was a belief among the Jews recorded
in the Talmud (Yalkut on Is. COL.
quoted by Edersheim), to the effect that
the %deliverer, the Messiah. was to ap-
pear on the roof of the temple in a blaze
Of glory and proclaim Himself. The
question seems to have entered His
mind as to whether He could not yield
a little to popular notions of the Mes
siah, and be the Messiah described in
the favorite prophecies, without being
untrue to His mission. Could He not
appear in a spectacular way, and win
instant acceptance? Must He be I'M
popular to be the Christ? Must He
start in on the path that led straight to
a cross?
The third temptation was to gain
earthly power, a worldwide empire by
compromise with evil. Jesus was a
man, and had ambitions. Great good
might come from such an empire with
such q sovereign. The end might justi-
fly the means-but no, the Saviour indig-
nantly puts the thought away He will
not favor the Pharisees, nor cultivate"
the rich young ruler, o wink at things
that are wrong in the lives of common
people, because to attack those things
would be unpleasant and unpopular.
He can bow only to conscience and to
God.
short and to the Point.
Faith fears no famine.