Basic HTML Version
First Advent Of Christ
159
Satan came with this temptation: “If Thou be the Son of God,
command this stone that it be made bread.” He tempted Jesus to
condescend to give him proof of His being the Messiah, by exercising
His divine power. Jesus mildly answered him, “It is written, That
man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
Satan was seeking a dispute with Jesus concerning His being
the Son of God. He referred to His weak, suffering condition and
[156]
boastingly affirmed that he was stronger than Jesus. But the word
spoken from heaven, “Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well
pleased,” was sufficient to sustain Jesus through all His sufferings.
I saw that Christ had nothing to do in convincing Satan of His
power or of His being the Saviour of the world. Satan had sufficient
evidence of the exalted station and authority of the Son of God.
His unwillingness to yield to Christ’s authority had shut him out of
heaven.
Satan, to manifest his power, carried Jesus to Jerusalem, and
set Him upon a pinnacle of the temple, and there tempted Him to
give evidence that He was the Son of God, by casting Himself down
from that dizzy height. Satan came with the words of inspiration:
“For it is written, He shall give His angels charge over Thee, to keep
Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time
Thou dash Thy foot against a stone.” Jesus answering said unto him,
“It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Satan wished
to cause Jesus to presume upon the mercy of His Father and risk
His life before the fulfillment of His mission. He had hoped that the
plan of salvation would fail; but the plan was laid too deep to be
overthrown or marred by Satan.
Christ is the example for all Christians. When they are tempted,
or their rights are disputed, they should bear it patiently. They should
not feel that they have a right to call upon the Lord to display His
power that they may obtain a victory over their enemies, unless
God can be directly honored and glorified thereby. If Jesus had cast
Himself from the pinnacle of the temple, it would not have glorified
His Father; for none would have witnessed the act but Satan and the
angels of God. And it would have been tempting the Lord to display
His power to His bitterest foe. It would have been condescending to
[157]
the one whom Jesus came to conquer.