ACC ~ Luke 4 v13

THE DEVIL RETURNS AS ROARING LION AT CRUCIFIXION

AUGUSTINE: When the Lord had been tempted with this triple temptation—because in all the allurements of the world these three are to be found, either pleasure or curiosity or pride—what did the Evangelist say? After the devil had concluded every temptation—every kind, but of the alluring sort—there remained the other sort of temptation, by harsh and hard treatment, savage treatment, atrocious and ferocious treatment. Yes, there remained the other sort of temptation. The Evangelist knew this, knew what had been carried out, what remained, and so he said, “After the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until the time.” He departed from him in the form, that is, of the insidious serpent. [1] He is going to come in the form of the roaring lion. [2] The one who will trample on the lion and the cobra [3] will conquer him. Satan will return. He will enter Judas and will make him betray his master. He will bring along the Jews, not flattering now, but raging. Taking possession of his own instruments, he will cry out with the tongues of all of them, “Crucify him, crucify him!” [4] That Christ was the conqueror there, why should we be surprised? He was almighty God. SERMON 284.5. [5]

[1] Gen 3:1.

[2] 1 Pet 5:8.

[3] Ps 91:13.

[4] Lk 23:21.

[5] WSA 3 8:91*.