Homilies on St. Matthew, the Second Temptaion of Christ by St. John Chrysostom

Homily XIII

Mat. IV. 1

 4. What then does this accursed one? Overcome, and unable to persuade

   Him to do his bidding, and that when pressed by such violent hunger, he

   proceeds to another thing, saying,

   "If You be Son of God, cast Yourself down; for it is written, He shall

   give His angels charge concerning You, and in their hands they shall

   bear You up." [545]

   What can the reason be, that at each temptation He adds this, "If You

   be Son of God?" Much the same as he did in that former case, he does

   also at this time. That is, as he then slandered God, saying, "In the

   day you eat, your eyes shall be opened;" [546] thereby intending to

   signify, that they were beguiled and overreached, and had received no

   benefit; even so in this case also he insinuates this same thing,

   saying, "in vain God has called You Son, and has beguiled You by

   His gift; for, if this be not so, afford us some clear proof that You

   are of that power." Then, because Christ had reasoned with him from

   Scripture, he also brings in a testimony of the prophet.

   How then does Christ? He is not indignant, nor provoked, but with that

   extreme gentleness He reasons with him again from the Scriptures,

   saying, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God:" [547] teaching us that

   we must overcome the devil, not by miracles, but by forbearance and

   long-suffering, and that we should do nothing at all for display and

   vainglory.

   But mark you his folly, even by the very testimony which he produced.

   For while the testimonies cited by the Lord were both of them spoken

   with exceeding fitness: his, on the other hand, were chance and random

   sayings, neither did he bring forward on his part that which applied to

   the matter in hand. For that it is written, "He shall give His angels

   charge concerning You," this surely is not advice to dash and toss

   one's self down headlong; and moreover, this was not so much as spoken

   concerning the Lord. However, this for the time He did not expose,

   although there was both insult in his manner of speech, and great

   inconsistency. For of God's Son no man requires these things: but to

   cast one's self down is the part of the devil, and of demons. Whereas

   God's part is to raise up even them that are down. And if He ought to

   have displayed His own power, it would not have been by casting and

   tossing Himself down at random, but by saving others. But to cast

   ourselves down precipices, and into pits, pertains properly to his

   troop. Thus, for example, the juggler among them does everywhere.

   But Christ, even when these things are said, does not yet reveal

   Himself, but as man for a while discourses with him. For the sayings,

   "Man shall not live by bread alone;" and, "You shall not tempt the

   Lord your God," suited one not greatly revealing Himself, but

   representing Himself as one of the many.

   But marvel you not, if he in reasoning with Christ oftentimes turn

   himself about. For as pugilists, when they have received deadly blows,

   reel about, drenched in much blood, and blinded; even so he too,

   darkened by the first and the second blow, speaks at random what comes

   uppermost: and proceeds to his third assault.

Web Page;

http://www.monkmichael.com

Live Radio call in show;

Coffee with
Monk Michael
For Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael


Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M


Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! paperback; http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Rev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet