Chapter 38—The Temptation of Christ
[
This article appeared in
The Review and Herald, July 28, 1874
.]
Christ was not in as favorable a position in the desolate wilderness
to endure the temptations of Satan as was Adam when he was tempted
in Eden. The Son of God humbled Himself and took man’s nature
after the race had wandered four thousand years from Eden, and from
their original state of purity and uprightness. Sin had been making its
terrible marks upon the race for ages; and physical, mental, and moral
degeneracy prevailed throughout the human family.
When Adam was assailed by the tempter in Eden he was without
the taint of sin. He stood in the strength of his perfection before God.
All the organs and faculties of his being were equally developed, and
harmoniously balanced.
Christ, in the wilderness of temptation, stood in Adam’s place to
bear the test he failed to endure. Here Christ overcame in the sinner’s
behalf, four thousand years after Adam turned his back upon the light
of his home. Separated from the presence of God, the human family
had been departing, every successive generation, farther from the
original purity, wisdom, and knowledge which Adam possessed in
Eden. Christ bore the sins and infirmities of the race as they existed
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when He came to the earth to help man. In behalf of the race, with the
weaknesses of fallen man upon Him, He was to stand the temptations
of Satan upon all points wherewith man would be assailed.
Adam was surrounded with everything his heart could wish. Every
want was supplied. There was no sin, and no signs of decay in glorious
Eden. Angels of God conversed freely and lovingly with the holy pair.
The happy songsters caroled forth their free, joyous songs of praise to
their Creator. The peaceful beasts in happy innocence played about
Adam and Eve, obedient to their word. Adam was in the perfection of
manhood, the noblest of the Creator’s work. He was in the image of
God, but a little lower than the angels.
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