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An awful and mysterious passage in the life of One whose tastes and habits were the very opposite of those of the prophet of the desert — One who loved men and cities, free social intercourse, and scenes of active usefulness. No sooner does Jesus undergo the high consecration of baptism than, instead of stepping forth into public life, He flees to solitude. We cannot unveil the deep mystery of this season of thought and trial. But may we not suppose that when the Spirit descended on Christ, He who had so suffered the limitations of humanity as already to have needed to grow in wisdom and strength, may first have realized, in His human thought, the tremendous import of His mission, and at the same time may first have grasped the superhuman powers with which to work miracles? If so, overwhelmed with the vision before Him, He may well have sought solitude to meditate on His great work, to obtain inward mastery of His own stupendous powers, and to wrestle with and conquer the fearful temptations that would rise up, urging Him to desecrate those powers to selfish purposes.

I. CHRIST WAS TEMPTED. He was not only tested as by a touchstone, but by the more searching ordeal of a direct persuasion to evil. In all there is a lower as well as a higher nature, a self-interest as well as a conscience of duty. If Christ was tempted, it follows that(1) no innocence and no strength can make a soul unassailable by temptation, and(2) to feel the force of temptation is no proof of guilty compliance.

II. Christ was tempted BY SATAN. Temptation arises from without as well as from our own hearts. This is why the purest mind is liable to it.

III. Christ was tempted AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS MISSION. The greatest obstacles often beset the first steps of a new course — in attempting a new work, in first attacking a bad habit, in entering on the Christian life. This tests genuineness and teaches humility, self-diffidence, and reliance on God. It is a great thing to begin the Christian campaign with a victory in the first battle.

IV. Christ was tempted WHEN UNDER HIGH SPIRITUAL INFLUENCES. "The Spirit driveth Him."

1. God permits, nay, requires, us to pass through the fire of temptation.

2. Great spiritual elation is often followed by deep depression.

3. New endowments bring new dangers. They who stand highest are in danger of falling lowest.

V. Christ was tempted IN THE WILDERNESS.

1. John found the desert the best scene for his life and work, Christ found it a region of evil influences. As one man's paradise may be the purgatory of another, so the haven of refuge of one may be his brother's most dangerous snare.

2. Christ was tempter in a solitary place. We cannot escape temptation by fleeing from the world; we carry the world with us to our retreat.

(W. F. Adeney, M. A.)

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KJV: And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

WEB: Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness.