Are you an adrenaline junkie. We live in a world of high stakes excitement. We want to go higher, faster, and farther. We want to climb, spin and fall. I don’t do these things. Well, I do only the mild form of these things. I will not be jumping from planes, jumping off bridges, or chasing the newest roller coaster. Why? I’m scared. I know, injuries from some of these things are extremely rare. I have heard that there are more injuries on merry-go-rounds than roller coasters. When you think about it, this makes sense. However, our senses tell us to be afraid of the roller coaster. This is what makes it so attractive to many. The experience on a roller coaster is one of defying the laws of nature through technology. We would not seek these thrills if we were not sure of the integrity of the coaster.
Matthew 4:1-11 (CSB)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:
He will give his angels orders concerning you,
and they will support you with their hands
so that you will not strike
your foot against a stone.
7 Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.
Satan tried to get Jesus to defy the laws of nature which would require God, His Father, to supernaturally intervene. If no intervention came, the outcome would be death or dismemberment. Jesus had access to all the supernatural intervention needed. All He needed to do was ask. Jesus knew this to be true. He also knew not to do things requiring this kind of intervention in order to escape the consequences. This would be to test God.
How often do we test God? Testing God would include behaving in a certain manner, then asking God to give us freedom from the natural consequences of our actions. God is gracious and will forgive us our sins. He can and will do miracles on our behalf. It is problematic for us to purposely behave a certain way, then expect God to free us from the harm or trouble that is bound to occur as a result. To purposely set about to try to force God into freeing you from your consequences tests Him. Jesus did not fall for this. Neither should we.
My challenge. I am trying to see walking with God as more than having a “get out of jail free” card. Walking with Him is so much more. It is about His nearness. Ultimately the chief end of the Christian life is to “put on Christ.” This is the goal I am praying for. I am praying for His presence and to be like Christ.