Temptation: Jump!

The second temptation that Satan majored in when he tempted Jesus was daring Jesus to jump from the top of the temple. Satan even quoted scripture to convince Jesus. Satan claimed that whatever Jesus do in this life, God will have to save Jesus, because Jesus was loved by God and is special in His eyes.

The temptation is essentially a temptation to presume on God. It is twisting the arm of God so that God would be forced to do something. If Jesus did jump, the Father would have to save Jesus. It has taken that long for God to bring Jesus in that moment in time. And  the Father would not allow anything bad to happen to Him. Jesus safety is an utmost priority.

This temptation is acting irresponsibly (most of the time in the guise of faith) then expecting God to breakthough and perform feats of salvation. Many of us are guilty into falling into this subtle trap. We would present God our prayer requests and in 'acts of faith, we become answers to our prayer even though it may defy logic, wisdom and even the very principles of God found in His Word. And then when we find ourselves caught in the chaos of our foolish decision, we expect no, we even demand God to save us.

Yes God is our Savior and Redeemer. He will never turn back on that role. But also remember, God is God, He is our King and our Sovereign. We don't play with God. We don't stiff arm God to do our will nor do we act as if God is our genie in a bottle who will obey our every command and longing. We don't rashly act upon things 'in faith' nor 'visions' because is God. We should be the ones to obey, to abide, to submit. We should never presume, that because it is a good idea, God is already backing us up. It should terrify us that we might be holding on to our ideas and implementing them in the name of God. God has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit to teach us and remind us of His promises and principles. Let them be the guide.

Temptation: Shortcut

Jesus third temptation found in Matthew 4 is the temptataion to take shortcuts. A 'shorcut' is essentially trusting another way, usually bending one's principles, convictions and godliness rather than fully trusting in God's way. It is like the cliche that the end do justify the means. As long as the end is achieved, whatever means a person does it is acceptable.

When Satan tempted Jesus by offering Him the Authority and the Kingdoms of the world in exchange of Jesus' worship, Satan knew that the very purpose by which Jesus came to earth is to redeem and regain all Authority and in turn, the Kingdoms of the world. What Satan is offering Jesus all the authority and the Kingdoms without the suffering, the pain, the cross and death, if only Jesus would bend His values, beliefs and conviction.

This temptation is very near to us. All of has been tempted to lie, to cheat, to misrepesent something or somebody just to get ahead or advance or accomplish something we want. Though we will not be offered the kingdoms of world now just even a bit of authority, still the temptation to bend, just for even a while, our beliefs or convictions is very real.

How did Jesus countered this temptation? He reached backed to a time when Moses was giving a speech to the Israelites, just before they were to enter and conquer, the Promised Land. Moses was saying to the Israelites to trust in the Lord because the Lord has been faithful to them and has shown His power and glory from their escape from Egypt to all the 40 years they have wandered about the desert--God has seen them through and He will continue to see them through. Moses is saying that God is ever faithful. The Israelites can trust God. Whatever happens God can be trusted. They are not on their own. As long as they continue to trust God, God will show His glory and power and faithfulness among their midst and in ang through their lives

This is a temptation where almost all of us fall. There are situations and opportunities in our life that when we look at it, it seems that there is no other way forward or way out but to just bend our values. But yet, there is a way. Like Jesus, a person can choose not to bend, a person can choose not to violate his convictions. It will not be easy, it may be even let a person great suffering but yes there is a way.

Why should a person continue to cling to his convictions and belief and turn away from this temptation? The issue is peace of heart and peace of mind. For Christians, the issue is looking into your heart and soul knowing that his or her relationship with God is intact, that fellowship with God still flows and that there is peace deep down.

In the end, Jesus did suffer horrible pain, he suffered the cross even death. But in His life, fellowship with God was never broken, God was able to do what He has purposed in Jesus' life and when Jesus rose from dead, all authority was given to Him and one day even now every tribe and tongue, every creature on earth. above the earth and even below the earth will bow and is bowing down to Him as King of kings and Lord of lords. 

The stakes if you falling for this kind of temptation may be higher than you could imagine. But if you could overcome it, with God's help, it will be worth it all.