I have always placed the devil’s third temptation of Jesus in the category of security, God’s protection of God’s own. But, Psalm 91 notwithstanding, which the devil quotes at Jesus, the Bible contains no promise of physical protection for God’s people. And a quick look at the sufferings of saints throughout history, not to mention the passion of Christ himself, should quickly disabuse us of the notion that God has promised to shield us from harm.
Reading it now, I see rather that the devil is tempting Jesus to test his value to God as an asset. “Surely, he’s not going to let you die? Before your time, that is...?”
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
If God has not promised to protect us, why bother praying for protection? Because God wants us to communicate our fears and our needs. A better question is, why do we so often court damage to our bodies, minds and spirits by living in ways that we know can hurt us? While not in the category of risk as throwing oneself off the pinnacle of the temple, we don’t always treat ourselves as the precious assets we are. “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Where in your life do you push the boundaries of good sense and healthy self-maintenance?
What do you consume too much of, or too little?
What is your relationship with exercise, rest, and play?
Lent is a great time to examine where in our lives we put the Lord our God to the test, expecting God to save us from ourselves, as well as from other people. I don’t mean to make light of the dangers in the world – they are real, and I will continue to pray for physical protection for me and those I love. But I also intend to become more aware of the ways I contribute to my own destruction and invite the Spirit of God to help me live into the promises God has made: if not protection, then presence always, and peace that defies understanding. Those we can count on.
Lent is a great time to examine where in our lives we put the Lord our God to the test, expecting God to save us from ourselves, as well as from other people. I don’t mean to make light of the dangers in the world – they are real, and I will continue to pray for physical protection for me and those I love. But I also intend to become more aware of the ways I contribute to my own destruction and invite the Spirit of God to help me live into the promises God has made: if not protection, then presence always, and peace that defies understanding. Those we can count on.
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