12   And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth into the wilderness. 13   And he was in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts: and the angels ministered unto him. 14   Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15   and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel. 16   And passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishers. 17   And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18   And straightway they left the nets, and followed him. 19   And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20   And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.

Verse 12. Under whose impulse did Jesus go into the wilderness? Was the temptation one of His own seeking, or was it ordered for Him of God? Recall what had happened just before this. Did Satan leave Him alone because God had acknowledged Him? How do we become sons? Gal. 3:26, 27. When do we receive the Spirit? Gal. 4:6; Acts 2:38. Does Satan leave us in peace after that? But what has God promised? 1 Cor. 10:13.

Verse 13. Was this the only temptation, or only the last great effort of a long season of temptation? (On the three temptations recorded by Matthew and Luke, see below). Was this the last time the devil undertook to tempt him? Luke 4:13.

Verses 14, 15. See from what time and place Peter dates the beginning of the gospel: Acts 10:37, 38. What was this "gospel of God" Jesus preached? Who had preached the selfsame message before? Matt. 3:1, 2. Why does Jesus take up John's message

now? Is this gospel identical with that preached on Pentecost and after? See 1 Cor. 15:1-4; read Acts 2:22-43.

Verses 16, 17. See how elsewhere God took busy men from their daily work: 1 Kings 19:19-21; Amos 7:14, 15; Ps. 78:70, 71. Who only can make us true fishers of men? On what condition only will He do it? What does "coming after" Jesus involve? Matt. 16:24.

Verses 18-20. Did they hesitate to obey Jesus' call? Comp. Matt. 9:9. What indication that Zebedee and his sons were well-to-do? What recompense did the Lord promise for earthly sacrifice? Matt. 19:27-29.

      Jesus did not seek the temptation. What was Joseph doing when his test came? Gen. 39:11, 12. When we unnecessarily expose ourselves to temptation, are we not already defeated? If we pray, "Lead us not into temptation," and then (as much as in us lies) watch to avoid is it not a victory beforehand, and are we not the better prepared to meet the unavoidable tests? "Keep thyself from opportunity and God will keep thee from sin," says man's proverb. "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation," says the word of the Lord. [28]

THE TEMPTATION AS GIVEN IN MATTHEW.

      1.   Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2   And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered. 3   And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. 4   But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5   Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6   and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7   Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God. 8   Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9   and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10   Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11   Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (Matt. 4:1-11).

      Jesus is the second Adam. Compare His temptation with that of Adam and Eve. (Gen. 3). Which was severer?

      Did Jesus meet these temptations with miraculous power, or simply as a man?

      With what weapon did Jesus meet Satan's assaults?

      Can the devil quote Scripture to his purpose? Did Jesus deny or repudiate the Scripture the devil had quoted?

      With verses 8 and 9 compare this from Luke: "And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship before me, it shall all be thine." (Luke 4:6, 7). Did Jesus accept it? Another is coming (very soon perhaps) who will not refuse this offer. Rev. 13:1-7. When will Jesus assert His power and authority? Rev. 11:15; Dan. 7:23-27. Who has it now? John 14:30; 1 Cor. 4:4. Do you wonder at the conditions today?

      How we become sons: Gal. 3:26, 27. "For ye are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ."

      When we receive the Spirit: Acts 2:38. "Repent ye and be baptized every one of you unto the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Gal. 4:6. "And because ye are sons God sent forth the Spirit into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father."

      God controls our temptations: 1 Cor. 10:13. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear; but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it."

      The Fundamental Facts of the Gospel: 1 Cor. 15:1-4. "Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures." [29]

Source: Second Lord's Day Lesson of January. Lesson 2. January 13, 1918. Jesus Begins His Work (Mark