First Temptation of Christ
245
Christ Did No Miracle for Himself
He then called the attention of Christ to his own attractive ap-
pearance, clothed with light and strong in power. He claimed to be
a messenger direct from the throne of Heaven, and asserted that he
had a right to demand of Christ evidences of His being the Son of
God. Satan would fain disbelieve, if he could, the words that came
from heaven to the Son of God at His baptism. He determined to
overcome Christ, and, if possible, make his own kingdom and life
secure. His first temptation to Christ was upon appetite. He had, upon
this point, almost entire control of the world, and his temptations were
adapted to the circumstances and surroundings of Christ, which made
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his temptations upon appetite almost overpowering.
Christ could have worked a miracle on His own account; but this
would not have been in accordance with the plan of salvation. The
many miracles in the life of Christ show His power to work miracles
for the benefit of suffering humanity. By a miracle of mercy He fed
five thousand at once with five loaves and two small fishes. Therefore
He had power to work a miracle, and satisfy His own hunger. Satan
flattered himself that he could lead Christ to doubt the words spoken
from heaven at His baptism. And if he could tempt Him to question
His sonship, and doubt the truth of the word spoken by His Father, he
would gain a great victory.
He found Christ in the desolate wilderness without companions,
without food, and in actual suffering. His surroundings were most
melancholy and repulsive. Satan suggested to Christ that God would
not leave His Son in this condition of want and real suffering. He hoped
to shake the confidence of Christ in His Father, who had permitted Him
to be brought into this condition of extreme suffering in the desert,
where the feet of man had never trod. Satan hoped to insinuate doubts
as to His Father’s love that would find a lodgment in the mind of Christ,
and that under the force of despondency and extreme hunger He would
exert His miraculous power in His own behalf, and take Himself out
of the hand of His heavenly Father. This was indeed a temptation to
Christ. But He cherished it not for a moment. He did not for a single
moment doubt His heavenly Father’s love, although He seemed to be
bowed down with inexpressible anguish. Satan’s temptations, though