The temptation in the wilderness was an epitome and type of the temptations to come. And as Jesus refused to make stones bread, so throughout his life he never wrought a miracle to help himself; as he refused to cast himself from the temple to convince Satan or glory visibly in his Sonship, so he steadily refused to give the sign which the human Satans demanded. How easy it seems to have confounded them, and strengthened his followers! But such conviction would stand in the way of a better conviction in his disciples. For neither adversary nor disciple could in any true sense be convinced by such a show, which would but prove his power. It might prove the presence of a god, but would it prove God himself? Would it bring him nearer to them, who could not see him in the face of his Son? To say, Thou art God, without knowing what “Thou” means, is of no use. God is a name only, except we know God. Our Lord did not care to be so acknowledged.

On the same principle, he would not do miracles where unbelief predominated. I do not think he cared much about them. A mere marvel is soon forgotten, and long before it is forgotten, many minds have begun to doubt the senses, their own even, which communicated it. Inward sight alone can convince of truth, signs and wonders never. But the vision of the truth itself, something altogether beyond the region of signs and wonders, is the power of God; it is salvation.

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Commentary

Thou
by Dale Darling

Inward sight alone, the filling of the Holy Spirit, Christ in me: the hope can convince of truth. But the vision of theTruth Himself is the power of God. Because you have seen, and thrust your finger and hand into my wounds, do you now believe? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe! 

There is now no need for the temporal or the clever. Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven!