Jesus' Temptations and Ours, Part 2

      While the particulars surrounding the temptations of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11 will never be mirrored in our lives, the general aspects of the temptations confront us every day.

      Consider the second temptation mentioned in the passage. In vss. 5-7, Satan decided to put Jesus to the test, trying to get Him to put God to the test. It was as if he was saying, “Fine, if you think your Father is really going to take care of you, why don’t you prove it. Jump off this temple pinnacle. After all, He not only said He would take care of you, He said He will send His angels to keep you from even scratching your precious little feet.”

      I have yet to meet a person who faced even a remotely similar temptation regarding the particulars. As with our examination of the first temptation, we might be tempted to believe there is not much here for us.

      But what is really going on here? Once again, Jesus’ response provides us the necessary insight. Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6:16, in which Moses reminded the people of their past sins. They had tested the Lord while in Massah and Meribah (Exodus 17:1-7).

      We remember the story. After escaping Egypt, they Israelites got to a place that had no water to drink. Instead of asking God for guidance or help, they grumbled against Moses and, ultimately, against God.

      The conclusion in those verses was that the people “tested the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us, or not?’” (Exodus 17:7).

      Satan wanted Jesus to do the same thing the Israelites did. Instead of trusting God in faith to take care of Him His way, Satan wanted Jesus to put God to the test forcing the Father to prove His presence.

      One of the great claims of the Christian is that we walk by faith and not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7). Yet, how often does Satan tempt us to want the sight? Too often we want to see something that proves God is with us.

      Do we ever expect God to prove His presence by granting us a certain blessing? Do we ever get upset with God, proclaiming that we do not deserve what we are enduring? Do we ever expect God to come down to our level, wanting Him to prove His presence our way? How many people have turned from God completely because life wasn’t going their way and they decided God was not there?

      Didn’t God prove His love and presence by sending His Son to die for us? God is there. He will take care of us His way. He will do what is right.

      When Satan tempts us with these thoughts, we need to follow Jesus’ example, saying, “We shall not put the Lord our God to the test.”

Edwin L. Crozier