Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-24
The Three Temptations.

The first suggestion from Satan was
that Christ should use His power to
transform stones into bread, to supply
His own needs. While the appeal had tho
germ of selfshness in 1t, the real tempta-
ton Of this suggestion was in the pur-
posed plan to prove that He was the Son
of God. the Messiah. by material means.
The fallacy of many excellent reformers,
the cause Of their failure in manya philan-
thropic endeavor. has been due to the fact
that the temporal needs of men have
been placed first. No aid Is of permanent
value that fails to put first the spiritual
Our Master sympathized with the needs
of men. When He aniiounced the pro-
gram of Christianity in His message at
Nazareth He emphasized the social aspect
of the kingdom of God. He cured their
physical diseases and cared for their bod
les. Christ Identifies Himself with the
masses need of bread. The man who
fails to be touched with the needs of his
fellowman will receive a merited Cob
demnation in the judgment. Il was hum
cry and We gave me no bread" will sound
a mans final doom.
The appeal to mans appetite would be
popular, but Christ did not dare to estab-
1ish His kingdom on His power to turn
stones into bread, yet He is doing 1t
daily. The stones. disintegrating In the
fields. make possible the wheat harvest
whence comes our -four. Jesus turns
aside the tempter's suggestion by the
quotation from Gods word that He had
mastered during His silent years I'm Naz-
areth. Jesus took the unpopular position,
but the only one that promised a per1na-
nent power-the rule OF God first in the
hearts Of men and then in the world.
The spiritual first, then material. was the
program of Christ Making the obedience
to Gids word first. Christ CONQUERED.
The personal needs Of Jesus and all men
were placed in the proper relation OF de-
pendence upon God. Better. infinitely
better, to be hungry in harmony with the
will of God than full from q banquet or
disobedience." Let us labor not for the
meat which perisheth. but for that which
endureth unto everlasting life.
The attitude Of Jesus to Gods word led
to the second temptation to be presented
with q quotation from the psalmfst. but
the devil left out lin all thy ways" He
always selects portions that apparently
give approval of his plans. The difficul-
ties OF establishing spiritual Kingdom.
when the people demanded q political
power, was presented to Jesus. Christ
knew the peoples ideal of the Messiah
and Rome's watchful jealousy. The agony
and suffering that He faced. 1t was sug-
gested. could be avoided IL He would
make a spectacular display Of His power.
that would prove that He was kept by
God. Give them a sign, Overawe them
with miracles. Once more the word OF
God furnishes the weapon OF defense and
Christ masters Satan. The devils false
use VI Tie scriptures Was dusWcicu ny
the true. Not one Of christ's miracles
was for show. He planted the word
knowing that He would have to wait
centuries for the harvest. He would not
defy the rational or normal order of Gods
appointment He would not tempt God.
To adopt any plan that had not been APP
proved Of God would be sin. Loyalty in
all things to the Fathers will was the
first plank Of Christ's platform.
The third test was an open proposition
to give the kingdom Of the world to
Christ il He would receive Satan's help
to establish the kingdom. 1t was an eff
fort to bride Jesus. offering him the king.
dom without the cross. The passion, pow
err and prejudice of men would be over
come easily IL Christ would be willing
to compromise The devil when he sees
defeat facing him always tries compro-
mise. We cannot AFFORD any more than
Christ could to enter into a compact with
the evil one. Whenever we are sum.
moned to compromise let us say. as did
Jesus, 'Get thee behind me. Satan"
When the conflict was over the angels
came to minister unto Him. When Christ
had won the battle He was now ready
for His service Of helping men, for I'm
that He Himself hath suffered being
tempted, he is able to succor them that
are tempted" Christ fought the foe to
help us win. We. too, must fight. but
not alone as did He, but in His struggle
to help Christ and our fellowmen -estabss I
lfSh the kingdom Of God.