The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 131

The suggestion of the tempter is degrading. Christ rises above it by considering the c.rnc greatness of man. This is not a method which he only can follow, because it is not the dignity of the Son of God, but the dignity of man, that he thinks of. E,·ery man may avail himself of the Mme bracing thought. There is a higher life than that of the body. Man ia more than a feeding animal. In his true self he is not wholly dependent on bread. 4. By a rrflecti.on on man's chief food. Man needs more than bread, and man can feed his soul on the better food even while his body is fasting. Probably the very purpose of Christ's fast was that he might give himself wholly to feeding hie higher hfe on the Word, the truth of God.-W. F. A. Vers. 5-11.-Presumption and am:bitim. All three of the temptations of our Lord turned on the abuse of his newly developed Messianic powers; but while the first temptathln urged him to use those powers for the satisfaction of a natural appetite common to all men, the other two were concerned directly with his unique position and destiny. The tempter perceives that be has ma.cle a mistake in choosing too low a ground on which to approach One so completely emancipated from the dominion of the body as Christ. Therefore he no1V proceeds to ply him wiLh more elaborate motives. L PRESUMPTION. Note the perseverance of the tempter: foiled in one attack he immediately makes another. Observe his versatility: seeing that one line of ass;ult is ineffectual, he shifts his basis. Consider the special characteristics of the second temptation. 1. Favourable circumstances. The devil sets Christ on the pinnacle of the temple. That this was probably done in vision, or even only in imagination, does not affect the essential nature of the temptation. Mentally such was the condition of Christ, and the force of any temptation is largely dependent on the state of mind of its victim. 2. A primary doubt. "If thou art the Son of God." 1.'his thought, repeated from the first temptation, shows how doubt may be used as a door to sin. 3. .A Scripture quotation. Christ had quoted Scripture; the devil can do the same-but with a difference. Christ perceived the true meaning of the words he cited, and used them aright; the tempter made an unworthy use of Scripture, and he did it by simply insisting on its literal meaning. A false light on truth may turn it into a lie. 4. .A dreadful fascination. Many have felt the impulse to throw themselvl:ls down from a cliff or a high building. With Christ this was immensely aggravated by the thought that surely God would not let his Son suffer any harm. 6. .A masterly rebuff. Again Jesus quotes from the Old Testament. Scripture must be interpreted by Scripture. One truth cannot be inconsistent with another truth. A Divine promise can never justify what God bas forbidden. 6. .A vital lesson. '.!.'here is a limit to the security of faith. It is useless to trust God when we are off the path of duty. We have no right to expect God's protection in dangers which we manufacture for ourselves. He who courts temptation invites his own ruin. II. .A.MDITION. Yet once again the indomitable enemy of souls rallies his shattered forces end burls them on the Saviour in a last mad assault. 1. .An open attack. Die~se is now useless ; so Satan scorns any longer to use it. There is a certain fascioation in ugliness. If serpents do not glide up to their victims unseen, they approach them most openly, paralyzing them with horror; sin itself has a hideous attractiveness in its naked blackness. 2. .A powerful appeal. Christ is to have the world for bis possession. He comes to be the King; here is his kingdom, and an easy way of reaching it. 3. .A diabolical condition. To worship Satan. 'l'his is just to make evil principles the rule of life. Such principles lie very near to the band of ti:ie public man. Macchiavellian politicians cannot see how they are to be avoided. Pander to the passions of men, and you will win their applause-that is .gaining kingdoms by the worship of the devil. 4. A bold rejection. We need not b,-hnve to the tempter with courtesy. 1t is dangerou11 to treat with him. " Resist the dovil, and he will flee from you." It needs an effort to do this. With Christ it meant the rejection of all worldly success and the deliberate choice of the way of the cross. Yet this choice is rewarded by angcl-ministry.-W. F. A. Vers. 12-17.-Light in darkness. The end of John's work was the signal for the commencement of Christ's. Thus our Lord would appear to some as the successor of ou, Iv. 1-26.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MA.TTHEW. 121