MATT. IV. 1-11. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, 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. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST IN THE WILDERNESS. We stand to day on that memorable battle-field where those laurels were won which encircle our brows, and that triumph was achieved which makes us victorious before the conflict, and even in death more than conquerors, through him that hath loved us. (Rom. viii. 37) Never was there a battle fought more wonderful in its nature, more important in its consequences, nor one which so deeply affects our everlasting interests. It is good for us to sit down awhile, and give ourselves to the absorbing contemplation of this great sight. B |