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Confrontation
What appreciation can such have of the temptation of Christ in the
wilderness, and of the victory He gained upon the point of appetite.
It is impossible for them to have exalted views of God, and to realize
the claims of His law. The proposed followers of Christ are forgetful
of the great sacrifice made by Him on their account. The Majesty of
heaven, in order to bring salvation within their reach, was smitten,
bruised, and afflicted. He became a Man of sorrow and acquainted
with grief. In the wilderness of temptation He resisted Satan, although
the tempter was clothed with the livery of heaven. Christ, although
brought to great physical suffering, refused to yield a single point,
notwithstanding the most flattering inducements were presented to
bribe and influence Him to yield His integrity. All this honor, all this
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riches and glory, said the deceiver, will I give Thee if Thou wilt only
acknowledge my claims.
Christ was firm. Oh! where would now be the salvation of the race
if Christ had been as weak in moral power as man? No wonder that
joy filled heaven as the fallen chief left the wilderness of temptation, a
conquered foe. Christ has power from His Father to give His divine
grace and strength to man—making it possible for us through His name
to overcome. There are but few professed followers of Christ who
choose to engage with Him in the work of resisting Satan’s temptation
as He resisted and overcame.
Professed Christians who enjoy gatherings of gaiety, pleasure, and
feasting cannot appreciate the conflict of Christ in the wilderness.
This example of their Lord in overcoming Satan is lost to them. This
infinite victory, which Christ achieved for them in the plan of salva-
tion, is meaningless. They have no special interest in the wonderful
humiliation of our Saviour, and the anguish and sufferings He en-
dured for sinful man while Satan was pressing Him with his manifold
temptations. The scene of trial with Christ in the wilderness was the
foundation of the plan of salvation, and gives to fallen man the key
whereby he, in Christ’s name, may overcome.
Many professed Christians look upon this portion of the life of
Christ as they would upon a common warfare between two kings,
and as having no special bearing upon their own life and character.
Therefore, the manner of warfare and the wonderful victory gained
have but little interest for them. Their perceptive powers are blunted
by Satan’s artifices, so that they cannot discern that he who afflicted