Chapter 35—“Tempted in All Points Like as We Are”
[
This article appeared in
The Signs of the Times, June 9, 1898
.]
After the fall of man, Satan declared that human beings were
proved to be incapable of keeping the law of God, and he sought to
carry the universe with him in this belief. Satan’s words appeared to be
true, and Christ came to unmask the deceiver. The Majesty of heaven
undertook the cause of man, and with the same facilities that man
may obtain, withstood the temptations of Satan as man must withstand
them. This was the only way in which fallen man could become a
partaker of the divine nature. In taking human nature, Christ was
fitted to understand man’s trials and sorrows and all the temptations
wherewith he is beset. Angels who were unacquainted with sin could
not sympathize with man in his peculiar trials. Christ condescended to
take man’s nature, and was tempted in all points like as we, that He
might know how to succor all who should be tempted.
In assuming humanity Christ took the part of every human being.
He was the Head of humanity. A Being divine and human, with His
long human arm He could encircle humanity, while with His divine
arm He could lay hold of the throne of the Infinite.
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What a sight was this for Heaven to look upon! Christ, who knew
not the least taint of sin or defilement, took our nature in its deteri-
orated condition. This was humiliation greater than finite man can
comprehend. God was manifest in the flesh. He humbled Himself.
What a subject for thought, for deep, earnest contemplation! So in-
finitely great that He was the Majesty of heaven, and yet He stooped
so low, without losing one atom of His dignity and glory! He stooped
to poverty and to the deepest abasement among men. For our sake He
became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. “The
foxes have holes,” He said, “and the birds of the air have nests; but the
Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (
Matthew 8:20
).
Christ submitted to insult and mockery, contempt and ridicule. He
heard His message, which was fraught with love and goodness and
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