re of intellectual curiosity. It
suggested to Jesus that he should see for himself what would be the
experience of one who should cast himself from a great height and then, by
angel hands, be kept from harm. This is the temptation to place oneself
needlessly in a situation of moral peril and then to expect to be
delivered by God's miraculous power. This is not faith, but presumption.
Satan still seeks by this device to destroy human souls. He urges men to
see for themselves, to increase their knowledge by experiences which
needlessly endanger their credit, their health, and their honor, to place
themselves in moral peril, to live beyond their means, to undertake tasks
beyond their strength. Jesus replied, "Thou shalt not make trial of the
Lord thy God." In the path of actual duty one need not fear the most
threatening danger; but one who puts himself in unnecessary peril need not
expect divine help. In his own time and way, and in the path of our
appointed service, God will open our eyes and give us such knowledge as we
need. To seek in presumption for such knowledge while endangering our
souls is to doubt the wisdom of God. Real trust preserves us from sinful
presumption.

The story closes with the statement that when Jesus had secured his
victory the Devil "departed from him for a season." The life of faith is a
life of repeated moral conflicts, but victory is assured to those who
trust in the goodness and power and wisdom of God.

IV. THE MINISTRY IN GALILEE. CHS. 4:14 TO 9:50

A. The First Period. Ch. 4:14-44

1. Jesus Preaching at Nazareth. Ch. 4:14-30

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and
a fame went out concerning him through all the region round about.
15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he
entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day,
and stood up to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book
of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the book, and found the place
where it was written,

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor:
He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovering of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he cl