The Final Test

As Messiah, the protecting care of God had been promised to Him. When the enemy can quote Scripture, he is, indeed, "transformed into an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14). But the Word of God proves an infallible resource against Satan, and Jesus answers him that such a course as this would be tempting the Lord. And now the final test is applied as to whether He would take the place of the Son of man in glory without passing through the sufferings that would entitle Him to it. Again the Word of God supplies a ready answer, and God, not Satan, is alone to be worshiped.
In Rev. 13:2 we read how Satan afterward finds one who only too willingly accepts from him the domain that Christ had so successfully refused. This one is the future head of the Roman empire.
The temptation was now over for a season. Satan receives his sentence of dismissal from the stronger Man, who having now bound the strong man is about to spoil his goods.
Jesus now takes His place as "the light from Nepthalim," identifying Himself with the poor of the flock. His forerunner having been cast into prison, He then preaches repentance as the necessary precursor of the kingdom of heaven.
He calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John (their conversion had taken place previously, John 1:40-42) for work and promises them a service of a higher character. He Himself becomes the all-absorbing object of their hearts. They leave ships and fathers alike, for the superior claims of Jesus.
He now proceeds with His ministry, making use of the synagogues, or wherever there was an open door. He displays the powers of the world to come, which is the millennial age. As Man, He successfully opposes Satan; as God, He heals diseases. From verses 23 to 25 we get the powers of the kingdom, and from chapters 5 to 7, its character.
Words of Truth