066. MAT 4:1-11. THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST

Mat_4:1-11. The Temptation of Christ

"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil," &c.’97Mat_4:1-11.

Christ came, not only to atone for sin. but to be a perfect example to his people It was necessary, therefore, that he should suffer temptation, that he might know how to succor the tempted. Here we have a revealed account of Christ’s temptation from the prince of darkness. The whole is very minutely and fully narrated, in which we have, I. The Time. II. The Place. III. The Agent. IV. The Temptation and Victory. And V. The Consolation. Notice,

I. The Time of Christ’s Temptation

Three very notable and important things immediately preceded it.

1. His baptism and acknowledgment of the Father.

The whole of this splendid scene is described in Mat_3:13, &c. There was the act of baptism’97heavens opened’97Spi-rit descending’97the Father attested to the Saviour, as his beloved Son, &c. Exultation and joy of the just often go before depression and sorrow; so with Israel, who, after joyfully leaving Egypt, were followed by Pharaoh and his hosts. So David, after his anointing, was hunted as a partridge, &c. So Paul, after being taken to the third heavens, received a messenger of Satan to buffet him, &c. Christ, after his illustrious baptism, was tempted of the devil in the wilderness.

2. It was just at his entrance on the public work of the ministry.

We read of no temptation during the private part of his life. But when he arises to perform the great work of his kingdom, then the devil is too active not to oppose the laying of the foundation of that empire which was to prove the ruin of his own. Those who lay themselves out for usefulness may expect the severest assaults of the prince of darkness.

3. It was when he had fasted forty days.

The reason of Christ’s fasting is not given; doubtless, he had retired into the wilderness that he might meditate and pray before he commenced his glorious work. It is worthy of remark that Moses, who was at the head of the legal, Elijah, who was at the head of the prophetical, and Jesus, who was at the head of the New Testament dispensation, all fasted forty days; Exo_24:18; 1Ki_19:8. Observe,

II. The Place of Christ’s Temptation.

"The wilderness." Supposed by many to have been the wilderness of Sinai, a dreary, barren, and dangerous place. A striking emblem of the fallen state of the world, which he came to redeem. A just representation of that through which Zion’s pilgrims have to pass, in their way to the promised land. Notice,

III. The Agent who tempted Christ.

"The devil." The leader of the apostate angels’97the murderer of our first parents’97the seducer of mankind’97the prince of darkness’97the god of this world’97he whose nature is opposed to all that is good, and true, and holy, and whose work it is to go about, seeking whom he may devour. He is distinguished for subtlety and craft, for power, for dire malignity, and deep wickedness. Notice,

IV. The Temptation itself, and the Victory obtained.

It was presented in three different forms He was tempted,

1. To distrust the Father’s care and goodness.

"If thou be the Son of God, command these stones to be made bread." Christ referred to Deu_8:3, "Man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." God can preserve in dearth and famine, when the staff of bread is broken. His will is sufficient for every purpose. By his simple word he effects whatever he pleaseth. He was then tempted,

2. To rash presumption.

Christ is conducted, most probably, to the top of Solomon’s porch, which was 150 feet high, and which overhung a valley of 700 feet; and he now suggests, that if Christ was the Son of God, he might cast himself down, seeing it is written that "God shall give his angels charge concerning him, lest at any time he dash his foot against a stone." Now, let it be observed, that Satan misquoted the passage for it is said, "to keep thee in all thy ways;" Psa_91:11. Not out of the way of providence or duty, a most import ant part of the subject. Then Satan grossly perverted the passage; for the promise was not given to foster recklessness and presumption, but to encourage those who humbly trusted in the Lord, and made the Lord their fortress and refuge; Psa_91:1, Psa_91:2. Christ repelled this suggestion by another quotation from the word of life, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." To rush into danger, is to tempt God; and to do this, is to violate the divine prohibition. He tempted Christ,

3. To gross and wicked idolatry.

Takes him to the most elevated part of one of the mountains in the vicinity of the desert, and shows him, most probably, the various provinces of Judea, and offers him these, with all their glory, if he would fall down and worship him. Observe the monstrousness of the suggestion’97for the Son of God to worship the devil! The utter wickedness and vileness of it! Then the arrogant and base offer, to give these kingdoms when he had no right in them, no claim to them, and therefore could not have the least ability to bestow any part of them Christ draws his last arrow from the holy quiver of God’s word, and at once over comes the foul spirit: "Get thee hence Satan." I know thee, and thy wiles and malevolent designs, too well. "It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve;" and thus triumphed over the adversary, for he immediately left him. Let it be noticed how the Son of God honored the divine word, and made it the instrument by which he quenched all the fiery darts of the devil. Notice, then,

V. The Consolation which Christ received.

"Behold, angels came and ministered unto him." Angels had, doubtless, witnessed the scene, and had hailed the triumph of the Son of God, and they now became ministers of comfort to him. How relieved would be the mind of Jesus when he found himself surrounded by those holy intelligences who had kept their first estate, the holy servants of his heavenly Father, and who ever worshipped before him, in his holy temple! Let this encourage the saints of the Most High; they have a heavenly guard, they are in a state of happy union and friendship with angels, for they are all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation; Heb_1:14.

Application

Christ’s temptation is intended to teach us,

1. The true character of our great High Priest, "Tempted in all points as we are."

2. The true way of overcoming the enemy, by the power of the word of truth.

3. The success which we shall assuredly obtain in the faithful use of the divine armory. And,

4. The consolation God will communicate to all his faithful and constant servants. Moreover, we learn, that it is not sinful to be tempted. Satan cannot compel, only suggest; and the grace of God is sufficient for his people.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS