“Tempted in All Points Like as We Are”
229
apostate might shout, “Victory,” and the world and its inhabitants
forever become his kingdom.
But Satan reached only the heel; he could not touch the head. At
the death of Christ, Satan saw that he was defeated. He saw that his
true character was clearly revealed before all heaven, and that the
heavenly beings and the worlds that God had created would be wholly
on the side of God. He saw that his prospects of future influence with
them would be entirely cut off. Christ’s humanity would demonstrate
for eternal ages the question which settled the controversy.
[256]
Sinlessness of Christ’s Human Nature
In taking upon Himself man’s nature in its fallen condition, Christ
did not in the least participate in its sin. He was subject to the infir-
mities and weaknesses by which man is encompassed, “that it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself
took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses” (
Matthew 8:17
). He
was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and was in all points
tempted like as we are. And yet He knew no sin. He was the Lamb
“without blemish and without spot” (
1 Peter 1:19
). Could Satan in
the least particular have tempted Christ to sin, he would have bruised
the Saviour’s head. As it was, he could only touch His heel. Had the
head of Christ been touched, the hope of the human race would have
perished. Divine wrath would have come upon Christ as it came upon
Adam. Christ and the church would have been without hope.
We should have no misgivings in regard to the perfect sinlessness
of the human nature of Christ. Our faith must be an intelligent faith,
looking unto Jesus in perfect confidence, in full and entire faith in the
atoning Sacrifice. This is essential that the soul may not be enshrouded
in darkness. This holy Substitute is able to save to the uttermost; for
He presented to the wondering universe perfect and complete humility
in His human character, and perfect obedience to all the requirements
of God. Divine power is placed upon man, that he may become a
partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in
the world through lust. This is why repenting, believing man can be
made the righteousness of God in Christ.
[257]