Three More Temptations of Jesus

Luke tells us that after Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he departed for a season.  The devil would be back.

One of those return visits was when Jesus was hanging on the cross.  We read this account in Matthew 27:39-44.  This time the devil used some of his most willing accomplices to tempt Jesus - other people.

The first temptation was for Jesus to prove Himself.  "If  you really are the Son of God, come down from the cross!"  In other words, "Prove yourself!"  This temptation is very much still in play today.  Why?  Because it is so effective.  The devil doesn't need new tricks because the old ones are still in great shape.  How many of us as teenagers made foolish choices in an effort to prove ourselves?  How many people have hurt their relationships in an effort to prove themselves?  How many of us in ministry have made foolish choices in our service to the Lord and others because of the real or perceived pressure to prove ourselves?  What was Jesus' response to this pressure?  Silence.  Steadfastness to His mission.

The second temptation was to compromise in order to win acceptance.  "Come down from the cross, and we will believe you."  The devil keeps this tool well oiled too, doesn't he?  The position you are taking is too radical.  You will have more friends/followers/adherents if you could just lower yourself from that lofty position up there.  A little concession here and there will help people be able to see that you are just like the rest of us.  By the way believer, you are to be peculiar - not ordinary.  Also, we are called to win people to Jesus, not ourselves (Joel 2:13).  What was Jesus' response to this pressure?  Silence.  Steadfastness to His mission.

The third temptation was to defend God.  "He trusted in God, let Him deliver him."  If God is a God of love, why would he allow this in your life?  Why would He allow you to suffer like this?  Why would he ask of you this sacrifice?  Why would he ask you to raise your family so far from your family?  Why would he call you to minister in a place where you aren't wanted?  Why would he allow you to suffer so?  Why would he leave you so alone?  We've all heard at least a few of these, right?   As we read Scripture, we see that God is the great Defender.  He defends us.  Nowhere are we told to defend God.  Twice we see Paul defending the Gospel, but never are we told to defend God.  We are told to trust God and put our faith in Him.  First John 5:4 tells us that the victory that overcomes this world is faith - faith in the hard times.  Matthew 8:10 tells us that faith impresses our Lord.  Romans 1:8 tells us that our faith is a testimony to others.  Romans 4:20 tells us that our faith gives God glory.  Romans 5:1 tells us that faith brings peace. What a testimony that is!

So how can we respond to these types of questions?  Don't try to defend God, but rather trust God for the victory through faith.  Glorify God through faith.  Exhibit the peace that faith alone can bring.  Trust Him for the results.

How did our Lord respond to this?  Silence.  Steadfastness to His mission.  How could He do that?  He knew that there was a great day of reckoning coming.  He was going to rise from the dead!  There is a great day of reckoning coming for all of us.  Let's live in light of eternity! Let's walk by faith!