Hello everyone,
It has been a little while since I wrote part 3. During the last week something happened at work, and I am now teaching an extra class and a new subject, AP US History, and so I have spent most of my time, prepping for this new subject. However, I think I am starting to get my legs under me for this new schedule.
Any way, this post will close out the story of Jesus in the wilderness. Here we go: Satan’s third temptation, (which is listed second in Matthew), is to take Jesus to the top of the temple in Jerusalem. According to Darrell Bock, at one place on the Royal Porch, which looms over a cliff, the fall would have been about 450 feet. (Bock, 379) (While it is not clear exactly where on the temple they were, but certainly if this was the spot, a fall from that spot would kill someone without divine intervention.) What is Satan trying to do here? He is trying to get Jesus to prove he is the son of God by throwing himself down from great height.
Jesus has used Scripture with each of the temptations that the devil has thrown at him so far. Now, Satan uses Scripture to make his case, quoting from Psalm 91. The implication is clear. If you are God’s son, then you have nothing to worry about. God will protect you. If you are not, then you will die.
Of course, Jesus doesn’t have to prove anything to Satan, and refuses to be party to this. (Ironically, later on, with the Cross, God does not protect Jesus.) Robert Stein says, “The temptation appears to have been to tempt God by putting Him to the test by forcing Him to fulfill His promise of protection. True worship does not seek to dictate to God how he must fulfill His covenantal promises.” (Stein, 148)
Jesus responds from Deuteronomy a third time. This time Deut. 6:16, ‘Do not put the Lord, your God to the test.” Deuteronomy 6 is making reference to Exodus 17, where the Israelites complained about the lack of water. Moses responds to their complaint, asking "why do you put the Lord to the test?" (Ex. 17:2) Any way, Jesus is not willing to put God to the test. We shouldn’t either. God is not obligated to adhere to our test. (God did agree to Gideon's test in Judges 6, but how do you know that He has agreed to yours?)
Bock says this in regard to this temptation. The devil’s offer is effectively saying, “I do not think you will take care of me as Son, so to be sure I am going to place you in a situation where you must take care of me now and on my terms.” (Bock, 381) Demanding miraculous protection in a situation where it is not needed is neither faith nor loyalty. Jesus passes every test given him. He trusts his Father for provide and protect him, even it seems like He is not. What is the lesson for us? What God wants is for us to trust Him for our provision and protection, every day.
This section closes with Luke telling us that the devil had completed his temptation and then leaves Jesus for another time. The devil wasn't finished, but he had thrown some heavy stuff at Jesus, and Jesus had not blinked.
Tom
Darrell Bock, Luke, Volume 1 - 1:1-9:50, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Academic, 1994.
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