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The Wilderness Temptation, January 26
Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted
of the devil.
Matthew 4:1
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Why was it that at the beginning of His public ministry Christ was led
into the wilderness to be tempted? ... He went, not in His own behalf,
but in our behalf; to overcome for us.... He was to be tried and tested as a
representative of the race. He was to meet the foe in personal encounter, to
overthrow him who claimed to be the head of the kingdoms of the world
Satan met Him and tempted Him on the very points where man will be
tempted. Our Substitute and Surety passed over the ground where Adam
stumbled and fell. And the question was, Will He stumble and fall as Adam
did over God’s commandments? He met Satan’s attacks again and again
with “It is written,” and Satan left the field of conflict a conquered foe.
Christ has redeemed Adam’s disgraceful fall, and has perfected a character
of perfect obedience, and left an example for the human family.... Had He
failed on one point in reference to the law of God, He would not have been
a perfect offering, for it was on one point only that Adam failed....
Our Saviour withstood on every point the test of temptation, and in this
way He has made it possible for man to overcome. Now, there is enough
in this idea, in this thought, to fill our hearts with gratitude every day of
our lives. As Jesus was accepted as our substitute and surety, every one
of us will be accepted if we stand the test and trial for ourselves. He took
our nature that He might become acquainted with the trials wherewith man
should be beset, and He is our mediator and intercessor before the Father
Those who would overcome must put to the tax every power of their
being. They must agonize on their knees before God for divine power....
Men may have a power to resist evil—a power that neither earth, nor death,
nor hell can master; a power that will place them where they may overcome
as Christ overcame. Divinity and humanity may be combined in them
[33]
52
Letter 159, 1903
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53
The Review and Herald, June 10, 1890
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54
S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1082
.
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