Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-03

INTRODUCTION. - Immediately after
His baptism Jesus went forth to meet the
arch deceiver of the race. AS He came to
deliver His people from sin Matt. I'D, II
was necessary that He should first conquer
the father of all evil. thereby displaying His
power and laying the basis for confidence.
moreover, victory might be instructive as
illustrative OF that warfare which must be
continually waged until the end of time.
The encounter was in the wilderness, sup
posed to have been between Jericho and
the Mount Of Olives. It was a direct and
personal conflict, q duel, no other persons
being present. It was solicited struggle,
the Spirit leading Jesus into 1t (verse u,
that there might be a trial of strength AMI
the championship decided. The first man
fell when Satan met him in the garden
Gen. iii:6), although warning had been
given, but the second Adam q Cor. xv:40
VIII triumph gloriously, forever afterward
to wear the victor's crown.
HUNGER.-The temptation of Jesus
was possible only because He had a human
nature. John lid. Had He been wholly
divine no solicitation to evil would have
been attempted, for God cannot be tempted
Games i13). 1t had been proved at the
outset OF the race that a mere man would
fall. 1t remains to be seen whether a god
man mai can De turned from Righteousness. A
series or attacks will decide the matter
Inc hrst onset was on the lower plane of
the BODY Verse p, precisely where Eve
broke down Gen. iii:2). Jesus endured a
lohs last, extending through forty days,
purpose tasting has been practiced from
Gine fmmemorial. At the end of the fast
ne was hungry and the tempter's oppor-
tunfty had come (verse 3D. Make these
a
easy TASK! sly and insiuuating sugges-
ton 1t was, exhibiting the cunning Of the
eVil spirit. The Divine Jesus might easily
supply by miracle the needs of the human
Jesus.
ANSWER.-Why not follow this hintY
II Tor no other reason, because Satan or
fered It, His words, however plausible,
must always be rejected. Every life must
be conformed to the will of God What
ever regulation may have been made by
the Infinite Father IS in wisdom and any
departure from 1t will result in disaster
although human wisdom may conceive a
way apparently better. Besides the phys
ical life of Christ was appointed to be
olsunctly human, the same as that of other
men, subject to the same limitations Jph!I
NO, that 1t might become a pattern TO
all. Had His body been systematically
supported He would not have known mans
lnirmities QIeb. iv:l5), neither would lie
have come into close relation with men
Il John I'D. Moreover there were higher
ilctuS tHGll those OF the DOuN, WnIch might
require the modification of the body tRom
viti:1S) that the soul might prosper All
these reasons are doubtless included and
others also in the answer given (verse ~,
which Jesus quoted from Moses (Deut.
viii:3 One verse OF Scripture siIenced
Satan.
POPULARITY.-The next attack was
on more elevated plane. Understanding
the nature and mission of Christ as the
Son of God, Satan proposed a method for
demonstrating the former and accomplish
ing the latter-a short route indeed. 10
popular favor. Taking Him, in thought
probably, into Jerusalem (verse - he or
fered 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 gravit1-
ton what had been refused in the former
attack He might be assured of the pro-
lection of angels (verse ~, and to make
that assertion good Satan quoted Scrip
ture psalm xci11), following the example
of Jesus. This was very adroit pleading.
If Christ had complied the result must have
been marvellous. A human form seen FOR
moment at such a giddy height, then
descending to the earth unhurt, would have
aroused Jerusalem and the nation. People
would have fastened to declare the divinity
of Jesus and to pay Him suitable homage.
And the work He came to do might be be-
gun with large following.
REBUKE-'The end justified the
means" says many man intent on sue
cess, forgetting that the method employed
in every enterprise is quite important as
the object sought. a definite plan had been
laid down in advance for the work of Jesus
in the world by which He purpOsed to ac
complish His high mission. There were to
be years of teaching and service, sometimes
in obscurity, sometimes with popularity
Matt, xxi:9). The earthly career must end
in tragedy, for so had the prophets foretold
Qsa., liiL5), and so was atonement to be
made. The Son of God must not turn aside
from this foreordained outline of His min
istry even though some other method might
promise quicker results. He tells Satan
this. In doing so He quotes another Scrip
ture, showing that the whole of the Divine
word, not a single sentence, must be taken
into account (yerse y. He administers also
in that quotation Deut., vi:16). singing
rebuke. Informing the adversary that as
Lord He was worthy of Satan's reverence
and that any solicitation TO evil was not
only superfiuous. but blasphemous.
POWER.-Satan accomplished nothing
in the last encounter, although he came
with Scripture on his lips. One more.
final, attempt he determined to make. BY
some subtle influence he causes our Lords
mind to behold as from some lofty noun
tain all the kingdoms of the earth (verse 81.
What a comprehensive and inspiring view,
sweeping in all points Of the compass, over