Christ’s Temptation Ended
After Satan had ended his temptations, he departed from Jesus for
a little season. The foe was conquered, but the conflict had been long
and exceedingly trying, and Christ was exhausted and fainting. He fell
upon the ground as though dying. Heavenly angels who had bowed
before Him in the royal courts, and who had been with intense and
painful interest watching their loved Commander, and with amaze-
ment had witnessed the terrible contest He had endured with Satan,
now came and ministered unto Him. They prepared Him food and
strengthened Him, for He lay as one dead.
Angels were filled with amazement and awe, as they knew the
world’s Redeemer was passing through inexpressible suffering to
achieve the redemption of man. He who was equal with God in the
royal courts, was before them emaciated from nearly six weeks of
fasting. Solitary and alone He had been pursued by the rebel chief,
who had been expelled from heaven. He had endured a more close
and severe test than would ever be brought to bear upon man. The
warfare with the power of darkness had been long and intensely trying
to Christ’s human nature in His weak and suffering condition. The
angels brought messages of love and comfort from the Father and the
assurance that all heaven triumphed in the full and entire victory He
had gained in behalf of man.
The cost of the redemption of the race can never be fully realized
until the redeemed shall stand with the Redeemer, by the throne of
God. And as they have capacity to appreciate the value of immortal
life, and the eternal reward, they will swell the song of victory and
immortal triumph, “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb
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that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength,
and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature,” says John,
“which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as
are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and
honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
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