The Real Champion

John Milton lived at the same time as John Bunyan.  He wrote two epic poems about the gospel.  The first one was Paradise Lost about how Satan came tempting Adam to sin and how our world plunged into evil.  The second was, Paradise Regained. It is about how Jesus the Messiah redeemed sinners and creation.  Now you might think Paradise Regained would tell the story of Christ’s cross and resurrection tomb.  It doesn’t…rather it is an account of the temptation of Christ.

        Milton's reasoning was that in this terrible contest, at the very beginning of the Lord's ministry, we discover the reality of who the winner would be; and who the loser. The battle did not end at the end of the 40 days, that would be at the cross….but after the Lord’s victory over Satan in the wilderness saving all his people and regaining the world for paradise was assured.  The real champion over Satan and sin is Jesus Christ.  Here is an excerpt from Milton…

Who e're while the happy Garden sung,

By one mans disobedience lost, now sing

Recover'd Paradise to all mankind,

By one mans firm obedience fully tri'd

Through all temptation, and the Tempter foil'd

In all his wiles, defeated and repuls't,

And Eden rais'd in the wast Wilderness.

Thou Spirit, who ledst this glorious Hermit

Into the Desert, his Victorious Field

Against the Spiritual Foe, and broughtst him thence

By proof th' undoubted Son of God, inspire,

As thou art wont, my prompted Song else mute,

And bear through highth or depth of natures bounds,

With prosperous wing full summ'd to tell of deeds

Above Heroic, though in secret done,

And unrecorded left through many an Age,

Worthy t' have not remain'd so long unsung.

-John Milton, Paradise Regained  Bk.1 Part 1.