Page 248 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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242 Mystic pathways through the bible
his instructions were that after his death his hands should be outstretched so that people understood that he carried nothing with him.
Jesus Is Tested by Satan
There is an important point that is well illustrated in the temptations that were presented by Satan to Jesus after His forty days of austerity and fasting. Satan asked Jesus to use His power to convert stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. But Jesus asserted, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (KJV Matthew 4:7)Then Satan asked Him to jump off a high pinnacle to show the world how He is sustained by the angels. But Jesus scolded Satan and did not submit to his request, saying, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (KJV Matthew 4:7) Finally, Satan displayed all the treasures of the world and promised to give them all to Jesus, if only He would bow down to Satan. But Jesus would not do so, responding, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” (NIV Matthew 4: 10)
This story gives insight into the fact that one who wishes to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (attain Self- realization) is not tempted by material attainments, psychic powers, and all the glories of the world. One may attain all of these, and yet there is no real inner ful llment. They are all fake treasures because one’s