Tempting God

The devil's temptations of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11) are a summary of all the temptations we face. In similar manner the prince of this world seeks to destroy our faith in the Father in heaven. He failed in his attempts to tempt Jesus, but he did not stop there. Throughout Jesus' ministry the devil kept at him. And each time he was tempted our Lord showed us how we are to resist them.

We catch hints of Satan's activity throughout the Gospels. He continued his devious work through the Sadducees, Pharisees, Scribes and even Jesus' disciples.

• And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. - Luke 4:13 ESV
• But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." - Mat 16:23 ESV
• When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness." - Luke 22:53 ESV
• I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, - John 14:30 ESV
• Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. - John 12:31 ESV
• And when (the Helper) comes, he will convict the world . . . concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. - John 16:7, 11 ESV

Our Lord does not remove us from this world when he calls us to faith and gives us new birth. We are not immediately transported to heaven. No indeed. We are his disciples, walking with him day by day, fed and led by him who is our Good Shepherd. But he also allows us to walk with him through the valley of the shadow of death; he permits us to face temptations. He knows they are also a way to grow our faith. They teach us to rely completely upon his promises and upon the power and presence of his Spirit. With this in mind we turn to the second of Jesus' temptations.

Pinnacle of Herod's Temple

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 

Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" - Mat 4:5-7 ESV

Once more doubt: "if you are the Son of God. . ." This time the prince of darkness used the very Scriptures by which Jesus had resisted the first temptation, misquoting and misapplying them.   The quote is from Psalm 91:1-16 where we are taught to hide as a little chick under the shelter of  a great eagle's wings. There we will always be safe, regardless of what serpents and lions may try to do to us. Regardless of what you do, said the devil, "he will command his angels concerning you . . ." So jump from the temple pinnacle and consider how impressive it will be when you land safely after a fall of over 100 feet. Then people will surely realize who you are and what power is in your hands. 

That meant, however, that Jesus was to try to become the Messianic king by trickery. He would force the Father to break the rule of gravity. Forget the cross, forget suffering and death. Fly from the temple's pinnacle and become the king you were meant to be. The angels will bring you safely to ground.

To resist this powerful temptation Jesus used a quote from Moses' record of Israel's Exodus. The LORD had brought them out of slavery in Egypt. He had destroyed the Egyptian army and caused the sea to be parted for their safe passage. But then they ran out of water and they demanded that Moses give them water to drink.

Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." 

And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?" 

But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" 

So Moses cried to the LORD, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." - Exd 17:2-4 ESV

The gracious LORD did give them water when Moses used the staff given to him to strike a rock. Later Moses reminded them of this event as they were about to enter the promised land. He warned them never to "put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah."- Deut. 6:16 ESV. Massah means trial, test or temptation. In other words, Israel—and we—are strictly forbidden to test the LORD and His promises. Who are we to put the LORD God to the test? Who are we to question His guidance, providence and protection? Who are we to demand anything from Him?

We are ever to humble ourselves before Him, trusting in His promise to lead and guide us safely to the Father's house. On the cross the Lord has rescued us from the slavery of our sin. Through the cross we have received forgiveness and the certain promise of the resurrection to endless life. Whatever He sees fit to put us through, we trust and submit.