Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1918-02-21
The Great Temptation.


The Great Temptation.
There were two great and dramatic
trials IN the life OF Jesus, one in the
wilderness. just after the Baptism and
at the beginning: of his public min
istry; the other, atthe close Of his
ministry. under the direction Of the
Roman authorities but at the instiga-
ton of the Jews. His first trial came
IN The form of a series of temptations,
following forty days of fasting and
self-examination. During the forty
days He was not conscious OF his
weakened physical condition. The
Scripture relates that safterward He
was an h%ungered." Then it was that
his humanity was at the minimum Of
resistance. He was tempted in all
points like as we are, yet without
SIM 1t was a real testing, not Just a
supernatural performance to be an
example for us. Jesus humanity was
not a make-belieye; it was very real
~ hSAW AoOSAl WO0l0 uOLOC ldtI5tU SpGdk
Of this experience as a temptation.
Just as today, the devil was a liar,
and deceit the background OF all he
tried to do. He perverted Scripture,
using it, however, to his own con
fusion. But the Master understood
the real strength of the Word of God.
for He had 1t abiding within His
heart, and was able to silence the
evil one with direct answers that cut
like a ~two-edged sword. Let us study
the three phases of the temptation,
and apply Christ's experience to our
own modern problems. All tempta-
ton comes within this threefold clas-
s~ifcation.
Physical Comfort.
First, and perhaps most primi-
tive, is the temptation to phys
ical, material qualification. / am
hungry, I must satisfy my hunger, and
get food; get it honestly if | can, but
get it! Mohammedanism and Nor
monism, for example, are founded up
on materialistic conception of life,
of eternal life, Polygamy and lust
are a part Of the genius of these two
religious cults. The wealthy, self
satisfied church members are not far
removed from the same conception,
although they may not practice po-
lygamy. Their church life, the beau
tiful architecture, the sermons they
pay for and listen to when convenient,
the high priced music, the social life
of the church, all must appeal to their
aesthetic senses, their feeling of per
sonal physical comfort and satisfac-
ton. But the Christian has no bust
ness being too comfortable! The pill
grfmage Of the followers Of Jesus Is
out ACROSS the desert, girt about for
the journey, exposure and danger.
The Christian way is n Of self-de
y niass ana spiritual 0yercomings. The
physical cannot be ignored but the
spiritual should dominate. control and
n1rect@Lne physical.
aanraa Fopthardiness.
The second temptation was to moral
and spiritual fooishardiness; ST thou
be the Sons # God, cast thyself down
from renee. Perhaps Christ could
have done SO without breaking asbone
On bruising his Aesh at an, but even
the Son Of God did not dare violate
the laws Of Nature just L make a
display Of power which He being
the son OF God. doubtless possessed.
The devils argument is in vogue to-
day. Break the laws Of life. Who
is Col. anyway? | ana as much q god
as any esther. There win be no reekS
oning Of the account. always lard
On my fest and am able 10 take are
III myself. That IS the Argument and
4lany people have fallen before IN
Nm Nature vii brook no Hawlessness
Mature will have no allegsance except
to tie Lord of Hosts. The BIBLE de-
eaares, There n a way that seemethE
ySght saatosa man and the end thereof
1 6sath
Temporal PoWer.
me fhirA and last tenptation wss
to terupcraiN power Leadership is
treat hing ana men Win barter their
souls for some petty once thai q
rfes i little bTeferInent and patron