The battle was over; the victory was gained: as Man, Jesus had been tempted; as Man, He had resisted the Devil. He had fought and conquered, and thus could go on with His blessed work, which He never could have accomplished, had He at this, or any other time, given way in the least degree to the Devil. For the first time since the Creation, Satan found himself defeated: against our blessed Saviour he could not prevail, as he had done against Adam and his descendants; He departed therefore: we are told, "Then the Devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him." The Father sent His Angels to minister to His Son; that is, to serve Him; to supply those wants to which, as Man, He was subject. No doubt they brought Him food of which His human nature stood greatly in need.
We have seen how Jesus resisted the Devil; each time using the very words of Scripture, which forbade Him to do as the Tempter proposed. The Devil is constantly tempting every human being to sin, by suggesting that they had better follow their own wishes and inclinations, instead of denying themselves, and trying in all things to please God. We should therefore bear in mind, that we possess the same Scriptures, and far more; since we have now our Saviour's own words whilst He was upon earth, and also the letters of His Apostles: and then, when we are tempted to do what is wrong, let us remember what the Scriptures say, and obey that, instead of following our own wills. The young are never too young to begin to resist the Devil, who has temptations suited to every age and condition: if you feel disinclined to obey your Parents cheerfully, remember that the Bible says, "Children obey your Parents in all things": let all inclination to dispute with one another be driven away by the recollection of the precept, "Be ye kind one to another."
The direction, "Speak every man truth with his neighbour," should strengthen you to resist every temptation to hide a fault, by saying what is not true, or even by keeping silence, or doing anything to deceive another. The fault into which so many young people fall, of being idle and careless about their lessons, would best be checked by calling to mind the precepts, "Be not slothful in business," and "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord." These, and many like precepts, warn us to conquer faults of which we are apt to think too lightly; not seeing that they are temptations set before us by the Devil, who strives to destroy our souls. But it is also written, "Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you." Begin at once to resist him with all your strength—struggle against your own will and inclinations, which will too often incline you to yield to his suggestions. Fight manfully as long as you live upon earth; praying always for help from God, without Whom ye can do nothing. If thus steadily and heartily you endeavour to renounce the Devil and all his works, with all the sinful lusts of the flesh, and do everything to please God, you will hereafter receive your reward in Heaven for Jesus Christ's sake.
After the Baptism and Temptation of Jesus Christ, He began His work amongst men, by declaring to them the blessed truths of the Gospel.
The first men who became disciples, or followers of Jesus Christ, were Andrew and John, who were already disciples of John the Baptist. "The next day," after the Baptism of our Lord, "John stood and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!" The Priests and Levites, as well as all the people of the Jews, knew that lambs were daily offered up as an atonement for sin, but that the blood of these creatures could never wash out the stain of sin, nor obtain its forgiveness. They were quite aware that these sacrifices were only offered up as a type, or sign of the Messiah; for Whose coming they looked, to make atonement for the sin of the whole world. John the Baptist had repeatedly told his disciples that he was not himself the Messiah, but was the messenger to prepare his way before Him. When, therefore, John the Baptist exclaimed, "Behold the Lamb of God," Andrew and John at once understood, that this was indeed the long-looked-for Messiah, the true Lamb of God, Who was to take away the sins of the whole world. "The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus." Jesus asked them, "What seek ye?" At once acknowledging Him to be their Master, the disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day; for it was about the tenth hour." That is, it was about two hours before sunset.
Andrew next went in search of his own brother Simon Peter, and "saith unto him, We have found the Messiah." Simon Peter at once believed these glad tidings, and went with Andrew to Jesus, who received him kindly. The next day Philip, who lived in the same town as Andrew and Peter, and had no doubt often talked with them of the promised Saviour, also became a follower of Jesus; and he likewise brought a friend called Nathanael, of whom we must say something more.
Chapter VII.—THE FIRST MIRACLE.
Nathanael, who was brought to Jesus by Philip, was one of those devout Jews who had studied the writings of Moses and the prophets, and was in consequence anxiously expecting the coming of the promised Messiah. Philip went and told him that the Messiah was really come at last, and that he himself had seen the wondrous Being, of whom Moses and the prophets had written; and that He was no other than Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Now at that time the inhabitants of Nazareth did not generally bear a good character, and were not therefore held in esteem by their fellow countrymen; and besides, Nathanael had learned from the Scriptures, that Christ should be born in Bethlehem; hence he doubted the possibility of Jesus being the promised Redeemer, and asked in a tone of incredulity, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip, whose faith was firm, gave the best answer which ever can be given to those who doubt the testimony of others, "Come and see"; certain that if Nathanael were to see and talk with Jesus, he would be convinced that He was indeed the Messiah.
Nathanael, who was willing and anxious to learn the truth, laid aside all prejudice, and went to Jesus; and fully was he rewarded for his willingness to learn. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming unto Him, He spoke in a manner which surprised the latter, and made him ask, "Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." It seems that Nathanael, following a custom amongst the devout Jews, had gone into a quiet, retired part of his garden, to meditate and pray. Here he knew that no human eye could see him, and therefore the words now spoken by Jesus convinced him that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the promised Messiah; he doubted no longer, but without hesitation, exclaimed, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God, Thou art the King of Israel." Jesus, pleased with Nathanael's willing faith, told him that he should see greater proofs of His being indeed the Son of God, the promised Messiah. The word Rabbi means a "teacher having authority." Andrew and Peter, James and John, of whom we have heard as the first disciples of Christ, did not at this time remain with Him as his constant attendants, but returned to their own occupation as fishermen: they all lived at Bethsaida, a town on the northern coast of the sea of Galilee.