Evening star., 1924-07-26
Sunday School Lesson

less unconsciously into sin. God
tests, Satan tempts."
The Temptations.
The three temptations, mentioned
the 40 days battle. Satan sought to
present the evil TO Jesus i'll dis
guised. plausible. attractive manner.
He sought to defeat His mission by
q final series that tested every part
of Christ's armor. He assaIled him
personal and material. Broadus has
pointed out a striking progression In
| these tempta tions. which marked the
conclusion OF the greatest spiritual
ruin the Kingdom through its King.
then through its God and finally
| through its agents.
In both of the first two temptations,
there was challenge Of the Master @ I' 3
of God" remove my doubts BY first
supplying yourself with bread from
the stones, which appeared like
loaves at His feet. Satan pampers
the body BY urging sn TO ,rsad remembfe ae
starves mems souls by placing the
physical needs first. Jesus took the
opposite view. holding that men shall
not live by bread alone" If Christ
had availed himself of the privilege
of turning the stones into bread.
which He is doing daily through the
process nf erosion Of the stones in
the field, that makes possible the
wheat harvest, whence comes our
-four. He would have failed in His
mission. BY making obedience to
God first. Jesus took an unpopular
position, but He conquered Satan by
His use of the Scriptures
Christ's attitude toward Gods word
resulted in the second t~n.rta ion
being presented in the form Of {,
quotation from the psalnist, but the
devil left out. "in all thy ways He
always selects portions that appar-
emily approve His program, but Satan
could not persuade the Lord 20 seek
He refused to. do for Himself. Jesus
unde rstood the difficulty Tie faced in
deciding to establish q. spiritual king
dom. when the people were looking
for a temporal and political one. He
understood that He could avoid the
agony of the cross if He would use
spectacular methods and overawe
men by a miraculous display Of
power. He declined to tempt God
| or to defy His normal order of ap-
pointment- Loyalty in all things to
the Fathers will was the first plank
in our Lords platform
The third test was an efort to
bribe Christ, promising to give Him
the kingdom, il He would allow Satan
to assist Him in establishing II. The
pa.fSloi1. pc"fT OF men
would he overcome If Jesus would
compromise with Satan. This teTnpta-
ton pes a sign that the devil saw
that nc had met His match. for when
all Other forms of endcayor fail he
seeks 20 form a compromise compact
In such hours we should say: Get
thee behind me, satan"
The ConquerinE Chrfxt.
When the Lord had mastered His
diaholical foes the angels came and
Ininistercd unto Him. He was pre-
pared by His victories to help men.
'for in that He Himself hath suffered
| being tempted. Fe IS able 10 succor
them that are tempted" The Saviour
who was tempted is the Saviour of
the tempted. His moral victory CON
den>ns our sin. but He svmpa thizes
with US in our temptations He al
ways is ready to help US overcome.
He has pointed out by His own vic
tory that thorough knowledge OF
Gods word and a correct appIica-
/ uon OF tho same will defeat Satan
Our Lords tempta tions did not end
until lie completed His earthly career
upon the cross. without which He
would not have attained His crown.
I All OF His followers are urged 70
| look beyond the moment Of trial. test
| ing and temptation by the assurance
OF the Scriptures, Blessed is the
| man that endured temptation: 90,
| when he bath been approved. he shall
receive the crown OF life"