3. THE DEVIL'S TEMPTING OF CHRIST

HE ALSO ENDEARED HIMSELF to men by allowing Himself to be tempted by the devil. The great spiritual perfection of Christ might have led men to despair of their own salvation. Men, weary of the struggle against temptations, might too easily say, "It was easy for Christ to be good; He had no temptations". But Christ was tempted by the devil. When He was hungry, after forty days of fasting, the devil tempted Him with bread. When that temptation failed, the devil tempted Him first to vainglory and then to worldly power and wealth. Christ was thus tempted to sins of both the flesh and the spirit of man. As man He conquered these temptations and vanquished the devil. In so doing He has given all men an example. The temptations of the devil can be overcome with the grace of God and strength of will. He has even shown good people that their goodness does not mean that they are not still subject to temptation. If the goodness of Christ could be subjected to temptation, then temptation is the common lot of all men. But all men can take refuge in the mercy of Christ. He Who was tempted can understand the needs of other men. Christ, Who has overcome temptation, will mercifully aid those who are still subject to temptation. This was a revelation of His mercy from God to man, as much as in His miracles.