p. 4 | Tempted Like as We Are by L. A. HANSEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 22, 1910

Tempted Like as We Are

By L. A. HANSEN

L. A. HANSEN

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 2:5. Our high priest is a man, touched with the feeling of our infirmities, having been tempted in all points like as we are. The record of Christ’s life presents him as a human Lord, subject to the physical limitations of humanity.

The experience of Jesus in the things of human life covered such as are common to man. A suggestion of this is given, as we hear it asked by his townsmen, those who knew him best as among men, “Is not this the carpenter?” Mark 6:3. As one among them, learning a trade and pursuing it for many years, he was known as “the carpenter.” As a skilled workman, he may have been thus spoken of with designation as the carpenter, but in connection with his claim as Messiah, the term was used with disdain. What they despised to accept, we may receive with comforting assurance in a personal Saviour in the every-day things of life.

We need not speculate as we picture to ourselves something of what the life of Jesus must have been in that little mountain village. It was a place of bad repute,—a place in which the mob spirit showed itself among its best citizens, at a religious meeting, in an effort to kill one who had spoken to them only of good things. Here it was that Jesus spent nearly his entire life, as boy, youth, and man.

At the age of twelve Jesus knew that he must be about his Father’s business. That meant for eighteen long years a life far different from such as would usually be thought suitable to his great work. He came to do the Father’s will, and that meant that for the most of his life he would live under ordinary conditions, surroundings, and circumstances. This was not a matter of caprice or arbitrary design on the part of God for his Son, but a part of the great plan of love to give a lost world just such a Saviour as it needed. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” “He gave his only begotten Son.” He is really ours, in the fullest sense.

The home of Jesus was a humble one; privation and denial were his lot. Day after day, week after week, year after year, there was for him a round of toil and homely duties. We have reason to believe that he was the sole support of his mother, and possibly other members of the family, near the close of his life. He knew what it meant to count on the product of his labor, and to figure on household expenses.

Whether at work in the carpenter shop or doing an outside job of work, going to and from his labors, associating with people here and there, Jesus was meeting experiences such as are common to all. Evil men and women allied with Satan to overthrow him on one point or another. His was a life in which there was room for just such

temptations as come to us. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

“Jesus is our example. There are many who dwell with interest upon the period of his public ministry, while they pass unnoticed the teaching of his early years. But it is in his home life that he is the pattern for all children and youth. The Saviour condescended to poverty, that he might teach how closely we in a humble lot may walk with God. He lived to please, honor, and glorify his Father in the common things of life. His work began in consecrating the lowly trade of the craftsmen who toil for their daily bread. He was doing God’s service just as much when laboring at the carpenter’s bench as when working miracles for the multitude.”

“The parents of Jesus were poor, and dependent upon their daily toil. He was familiar with poverty, self-denial, and privation.”

“Jesus lived in a peasant’s home, and faithfully and cheerfully acted his part in bearing the burdens of the household. He had been the Commander of heaven, and angels had delighted to fulfil his word; now he was a willing servant, a loving, obedient son. He learned a trade, and with his own hands worked in the carpenter’s shop with Joseph. In the simple garb of a common laborer he walked the streets of the little town, going to, and returning from, his humble work. He did not employ his divine power to lessen his burdens or to lighten his toil.”

“He was not willing to be defective, even in the handling of tools. He was perfect as a workman, as he was perfect in character.”

“Jesus carried into his labor cheerfulness and tact. It requires much patience and spirituality to bring Bible religion into the home life and into the workshop, to bear the strain of worldly business, and yet keep the eye single to the glory of God. This is where Christ was a helper.”

“Jesus was placed where his character would be tested. It was necessary for him to be constantly on guard in order to preserve his purity. He was subject to all the conflicts which we have to meet, that he might be an example to us in childhood, youth, and manhood.” “No child of humanity will ever be called to live a holy life amid so fierce a conflict with temptation as was our Saviour.”—Quotations from “Desire of Ages,” chapter 7.

Takoma Park, D. C.