April 12

Friday after First Sunday in Lent

(Ember Day.)

[Christ] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15.

Not only did Satan attack Christ in the weakest moment, but on the weakest point. There was but one weak point which Jesus had open to the assaults of the evil one. His human nature, His feeble Body, His feelings as a man—and in this Satan seized Him. He could not sin; He had no inward inclination to do what Satan suggested; but He was subject to the weakness of a wornout frame; here the tempter touched Him. O how exactly was Christ in this point tempted like as we are! Does not Satan attack us in our weakest point? How he suits his mode of temptation to the disposition of the victim! Are you vain? In how dazzling a lustre will he place the pleasures of this poor world before you! Are you jealous? In what strong contrasts will he place the kindness of the person you love towards another than you! Are you of an ill-temper? How he will make you think everybody hates you, neglects you, despises you, or intends to slight you! Are you indolent? How wearisome will he make the slightest effort for another's good seem in your eyes! Are you too active? How useless will he make the quiet hour of prayer, and thought, and reading seem to you! He tempts us to what our nature is most inclined; he suits his allurement to our inclination. If we are of a quiet temper, he will not tempt us there; if we are only ambitious, he will not care to make us jealous; if we are too active, he will not tempt us to be idle. He knows us well; he drives our inclination to its far extreme. There was but one weak point in Christ; that was His human nature, and there he tempted Him.