The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-02-29

lethargy Of the nation, so that the re-
suits Of bis work became known even
In the out Of the way village Of Naza-
reth. Probably some Of the villagers
had attended his ministrations. Jesus
realized that his ministry was now to
begin. And where should be go first
but to the prophetic reformer Of Israel
and Identify himself with this radical
movement? WAS baptized Of John"
The details Of the interview between
Jesus and John are furnished by Mat
thew and Luke. Mark merely men
tions the significant fact in his brief
and picturesque style. G) "Iie saw
the heavens opened" "Rending asun-
der" This was a vision OF the mind
and heart of God given to Jesus in re-
sponse to his surrender ito fulfill all
Righteousness" % THE Spirit like a
dove ascending upon him." The dove
Is q symbol Of the meek and gentle
operations Of the divine Spirit which
were Enthusiastically experienced by
Jesus (Aatt. 1i, 29). (c) There came a
voice from heaven" 1t was heard by
the attentive ear Of Jesus, and 1t gave
him the strengthening sense Of inti-
mate fellowship with the Father,
whose presence was now manifested to
him more inspiringly than ever during
the years Of happy obscurity" in Naz-
areth. This threefold experience on
the threshold Of his ministry was a eli
max Of what had gone before, and 1t
was an earnest Of what was yet to
come during the eventful days that
were to be filed full with abundant
labors for the redemption Of the world.
Matt. iv, 1-4.-Reliance on God.
At his baptism Jesus became con-
scious Of the possession Of superhuman
powers, and he at once retired into the
solitudes to perfect his plans for his
Messianic ministry. 1t was a season Of
intense conflict, but he entered into this
severe struggle lied up Of the Spirit" /"
under divine guidance, and he came
out Of It victorious. with the assurance
Of worldwide conquest "The wilder
ness" This was q monotonous region
above the plain Of Jericho, tenanted BY
wild beasts and the hiding place Of
brigands. When he had tasted" Mat
thew records that the temptations
came at the close Of his long vigil.
which was spent in absorbing medita-
ton. Mark and Luke state that he was
tempted during the "forty days" Both
views are correct. When the spell Of
meditation was broken by physical
hunger feeling Of weakness overcame
him. Command that these stones be
made bread" Why not exercise his
miraculous powers and provide for his
immediate need7 "Not by bread alone"
Comfort must not be purchased at the
cost Of character. Compare John vi,
27. Why may he not rely on the divine
strength to sustain him for both spir-
itual and material necessities! The
promise Il clear Deut. viii. 81, and
he would exercise trust In God In q
true flial spirit rather than dishonor
his Father BY self qualification. Tho
spirit Of self denial was hero illustrat-
ed, and 1t was frequently enforced In
his teaching Luke X. 2a).
Verses 5-7.-Fafth in God.
Would he use spiritual weapons In
spired by love or material weapons
charged with force in advancing his
kingdom7 1t would be rare oppor-
tunity to capture the Jewish hierarchy
By an extraordinary display Of signs
and marvels. 1.-THE pinnacle Of the
temple" the roof Of one Of the porches
or the apex Of the temple proper. From
this height let him ding himself down
into the court below, for instance, when
the multitudes have assembled to cele-
brate some festival. His safe descent
would at once recall the prophecy con-
cerning Messianic protection ops. xci,
II, 12) and he would be instantly
hailed by priests and people as Gods
anointed. Here is a case Of Scripture
perverson when a passage il taken
out Of its setting and grossly misap-
piled. 1t IS a principle worth remem-
bering in Interpreting the Scriptures
that 1t Is not the words, but the thought
and the spirit Of the Scriptures. that
must be considered first. The reply Of
Jesus is In the words Of another Scrip
ture Deut. vi, 1G. mot tempt" Not
make trial Of" To test God Is not the
same as to trust him. He would ac-
cept the divine will and not force an
unwilling and unconvinced people into
his kingdom.
Verses S-11.-Service Of God.
Since he is the Messiah and it Is his
purpose to win the world, why should
he not do so by an easy way? "All
these things" The pomp and glory, the
wealth, culture and prizes Of the world
how animating the thought Of their
being transformed and possessed. By
what means? "Worship me-" Enter into
an alliance with the world, compromise
with its spirit of worldlincss, occupy
some middle ground 1t will then be
easy to win the allegiance Of the world.
But such a course can never be con-
sistent with the honor Of God, who
must reign without peer or rival.
"Worship the Lord thy God" He is
Surremc and DriestIy snrvicc must he