Temptation
25
“If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made
bread.”
But since the Saviour had come to live as our example, He must
endure suffering as we have to endure it; He must not work a miracle
for His own good. His miracles were all to be for the good of others.
To the demand of Satan He answered:
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Thus He showed that it is far less important to provide ourselves
with food than that we should obey the word of God. Those who obey
God’s word have the promise of all things needed for the present life,
[46]
and they have also the promise of future life.
Satan had failed to overcome Christ in the first great temptation;
he next carried Him to a pinnacle of the temple at Jerusalem, and said:
“If thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down: for it is written,
He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands
they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a
stone.”
Satan here followed Christ’s example in quoting Scripture. But this
promise is not for those who willfully venture into danger. God had
not told Jesus to throw Himself down from the temple. Jesus would
not do it to please Satan. He said: “It is written again, Thou shalt not
tempt the Lord thy God.”
We should trust in the care of our heavenly Father; but we must not
go where He does not send us. We must not do what He has forbidden.
Because God is merciful, and ready to forgive, there are those who
say that it is safe to disobey Him. But this is presumption. God will
forgive all who seek pardon and turn away from sin. But those who
choose to disobey Him He can not bless.
Satan now appeared what he really was—the prince of the powers
of darkness. He took Jesus to the top of a high mountain, and showed
Him all the kingdoms of the world.
The sunlight lay on splendid cities, marble palaces, fruitful fields,
and vineyards. Satan said:
“All these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and
worship me.”
[47]