The Sinless Prince

Journey to the Celestial City #52. In our continuing look at John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," today we find the man, Christian, along with his companion, Faithful, standing at the doorstep of Vanity's Fair. It was once visited by the Prince of princes Himself many years prior. While there Beelzebub invited Him to taste of its vanities even to the point of offering Him the position of lord of the fair. It was his to afford since he was the chief. The cost: a single bow of the knee in worship. But the God / Man would not. He could not. And it's a mystery that Christ was tempted in all things as we are yet without sin. And could Jesus have really sinned? And if He could not, then how was it a legitimate temptation? The fact is it was a legitimate temptation. Just like I don't understand how God created all things out of nothing and can't comprehend the Trinity (three equal Persons existing in one God) so I am unable to grasp how One who could not sin could be legitimately tempted to sin. The purpose of our Lord's temptation was to show He indeed was sinless. And don't be misled. Satan / Beelzebub was shaking in his boots at the sight. "Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; and he said to Him, 'All these things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Begone, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord Your God, and serve Him only."'" "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to "Pilgrim's Progress Series" in the left sidebar.) pp 81-82