he temptation of Christ. (1-13) Christ in the synagogue of
Nazareth. (14-30) He casts out an unclean spirit and heals the
sick. (31-44)
Verses 1-13: Christ's being led into the wilderness gave an advantage
to the tempter; for there he was alone, none were with him by
whose prayers and advice he might be helped in the hour of
temptation. He who knew his own strength might give Satan
advantage; but we may not, who know our own weakness. Being in
all things made like unto his brethren, Jesus would, like the
other children of God, live in dependence upon the Divine
Providence and promise. The word of God is our sword, and faith
in that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for
his people, and therefore is at all times to be depended upon in
the way of duty. All Satan's promises are deceitful; and if he
is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms
of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to
insnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with
abhorrence, every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as
a price offered for our souls; we should seek riches, honours,
and happiness in the worship and service of God only. Christ
will not worship Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the
world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer any remains
of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also
tempted Jesus to be his own murderer, by unfitting confidence in
his Father's protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not
any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or
cause us to abandon its use; but let us study it still, seek to
know it, and seek our defence from it in all kinds of assaults.
Let this word dwell richly in us, for it is our life. Our
victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but for us
also. The devil ended all the temptation. Christ let him try all
his force, and defeated him. Satan saw it was to no purpose to
attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery darts to
fasten upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us.
Yet he departed but till the season when he was again to be let
loose upon Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so
to strike at his head, at which he now aimed and was wholly
defeated in; but as a persecutor, to bring Christ to suffer, and
so to bruise his heel, which it was told him, he should have to
do, and would do, though it would be the breaking of his own
head, (Ge 3:15). Though Satan depart for a season, we shall
never be out of his reach till removed from this present evil
world.
Verses 14-30: Christ taught in their synagogues, their places of public
worship, where they met to read, expound, and apply the word, to
pray and praise. All the gifts and graces of the Spirit were
upon him and on him, without measure. By Christ, sinners may be
loosed from the bonds of guilt, and by his Spirit and grace from
the bondage of corruption. He came by the word of his gospel, to
bring light to those that sat in the dark, and by the power of
his grace, to give sight to those that were blind. And he
preached the acceptable year of the Lord. Let sinners attend to
the Saviour's invitation when liberty is thus proclaimed.
Christ's name was Wonderful; in nothing was he more so than in
the word of his grace, and the power that went along with it. We
may well wonder that he should speak such words of grace to such
graceless wretches as mankind. Some prejudice often furnishes an
objection against the humbling doctrine of the cross; and while
it is the word of God that stirs up men's enmity, they will
blame the conduct or manner of the speaker. The doctrine of
God's sovereignty, his right to do his will, provokes proud men.
They will not seek his favour in his own way; and are angry when
others have the favours they neglect. Still is Jesus rejected by
multitudes who hear the same message from his words. While they
crucify him afresh by their sins, may we honour him as the Son
of God, the Saviour of men, and seek to show we do so by our
obedience.
Verses 31-44: Christ's preaching much affected the people; and a
working power went with it to the consciences of men. These
miracles showed Christ to be a controller and conqueror of
Satan, a healer of diseases. Where Christ gives a new life, in
recovery from sickness, it should be a new life, spent more than
ever in his service, to his glory. Our business should be to
spread abroad Christ's fame in every place, to beseech him in
behalf of those diseased in body or mind, and to use our
influence in bringing sinners to him, that his hands may be laid
upon them for their healing. He cast the devils out of many who
were possessed. We were not sent into this world to live to
ourselves only, but to glorify God, and to do good in our
generation. The people sought him, and came unto him. A desert
is no desert, if we are with Christ there. He will continue with
us, by his word and Spirit, and extend the same blessings to
other nations, till, throughout the earth, the servants and
worshippers of Satan are brought to acknowledge him as the
Christ, the Son of God, and to find redemption through his
blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
he temptation of Christ. (1-13) Christ in the synagogue of
Nazareth. (14-30) He casts out an unclean spirit and heals the
sick. (31-44)