's desper

at, when Jesus was grown to manhood He went to the river Jordan and was baptized by John. "Then," we are told, "was Jesus led up of the

ble for man to return to the presence of God. Of course, Satan was much disturbed at such a thought. He had gained such power on the earth that he had come to be called the prince of this world. It angered him to think that he might lose that power. In desperation, he determined to try his strength wit

tation o

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 sh

pplic

nights, and was hungry, yet He resisted the evil suggestion of the tempter. Then Satan appealed to the love of glory and the praise of men. But Jesus was content to wait, knowing that the glory and praise which would come to Him, from {63} honest and worthy endeavor, would be greater and far more lasting than that which might come from mere display. F

suggestions

uit. And not only do those suggestions withhold men from good deeds, but they inspire evil thoughts and draw men into sin. There are in history many examples of this truth; but there is none more shocking than the example of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Christ to His enemies. "When He (Jesus) had dipped the sop," we

ere is

ience the affection and the worship that we now feel for Jesus? If He had not suffered; if He had experienced no pain; if He had passed through no agony of body nor anguish of heart, could we feel indebted to Him as we do now? If He had suffered no temptation, if it had never been a struggle for Him to do

rial

o say No to the suggestion of evil. We recognize in him strength of character. We see in him a pillar of strength for the future. We are likely to despise the boy who always yields to

of pro

, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these (spirits) may {65} dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them." And in our own

e agenc

il, we grow in character and in power, and become more nearly worthy to return to the presence of God. It was partly because he wanted to destroy the God-given free agency of man, that Lucifer was cast out of hea

nd have glory added upon his head for ever and ever. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given unto them which are expedient unto man. And th

HE REF

11. Abraha

. Doc. and

26, 27. 2

QUES

il be concerned after

the temptat

e suggestions of

ove Himself worthy

ve himself worthy

an placed up

he meaning o

upon the earth?