CHAPTER I., SEC. 1.

Ash Wednesday.

THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST.

NOTES:

MATT. IV. I to 12.

1. The temptations were continuous during the forty days (Luke iv. 2), but the three last only are given. Beside these there were many others afterwards, for Christ, at the end of His career, said that His disciples had continued with Him in His temptations (Luke xxii. 28). Our temptations also are lifelong. But probably there will be some event, or course of events, which will be the turning point, after which we shall go in the main right or wrong.

2. S. Luke alters the order of the last two temptations for literary reasons. The order of S. Matthew seems to be the historical one, to judge

A

by the close connecting links that are given, the most important of which are

(a) "If Thou be the Son of God," according to the declaration of the voice at Thy Baptism.

(b) If Thou (really) be the Son of God," according to that declaration and Thy own claim just made. (c) Get thee hence," a mark of dismissal, closely connected with the third temptation.

3. The nature of the temptations.

(a) A temptation of the flesh, to want of faith or trust.

(b) A temptation of the devil, to pride, presumption, rashness.

(c) A temptation of the world, to unlawful ambition. The third was the most subtle of all the temptations. One little act of worship, without further trouble, would secure the final end of Redemption. The devil, who is the "prince," and even the "god" of this world, offers, in return for a small act of homage, to abdicate in favour of our Lord: he will no longer harass mankind: the purpose of God will be fulfilled, but not in God's way. It was a most attractive and plausible proposition, appealing to our Lord not only as the obscure Carpenter of Nazareth, but also as Son of God.

In these three temptations the devil probably presented himself successively in the character of a traveller, a priest, and a king.

4. Methods of resisting temptation.

(a) Do it at once, without parley. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James iv. 7). (b) Make the sign of the Cross.

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"At the sign of triumph

Satan's host doth flee."

-Baring Gould.

(c) Pray-" From all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, good Lord, deliver us" (Litany). Lord, we beseech Thee, grant Thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow Thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen" (Collect for 18th Sunday after Trinity).

5. These are the three giants we have constantly to fight. The familiar fairy tale of " Jack, the Giant Killer," contains a mighty truth.

6. It is a comfort to know that there is no sin in the experience of a temptation. Our Lord was tempted, but remained sinless. The sin comes in by yielding. Temptations are necessary as discipline, for correcting our faults, and building up our character. S. James says, "Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations (or trials), knowing that the proof of your faith worketh patience" (i. 2). And again, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he hath been approved he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love Him" (i. 12).

Thursday.

THE TEMPTATION OF JOB.

NOTES:

JOB I. I to II. II.

1. Three dire temptations came to Job-through his property, in the loss of his possessions; through his affections, in the loss of his sons and daughters; and through his health, in the sore boils which covered him from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head-yet he retained his integrity. It is said that a friend once came to a rich man, and asked if he did not find it difficult to serve God with so much wealth, and he replied, "No; I find God in everything." It happened that he lost all his property, and the same friend, coming to him again, asked if he did not find it difficult to serve God in his poverty, and he replied, “No; I find everything in God." This story sums up the lesson of the life of Job.

2. In our greatest grief we have that comfortable word "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Burial Office. See also Job xix. 25-27).