“Jesus said in response, ‘It’s also written that you’re not to put the Holy One to the test'” (Matthew 4.7).
Hear me out on this one; because, I’m not trying to be controversial or shocking. Just stick with me. See, I think the Devil had the right idea on this second temptation.
Think about it for a moment: let’s say Jesus does this little trick in front of everyone. Do you think for an instant that the leadership would have even tried to go after him? Even so, do you think they’d found a guard who would have wanted to take part in that arrest? Come on, that guy’s got angels protecting him. They didn’t even let him stub his toe when he jumped off the Temple. What do you think they’ll do when we try and pick up the guy? Uh-uh, no way.
And if they had come for him, and they killed him everyone would know it was just because he let them. He could have stopped them. But no, he let it happen just so he could show them how awesome he is. Jesus is like diamond—invulnerable.
I’d have done it if I’d known what Jesus did. I mean, think of it. Think how everyone would look at you afterward. You’d be like a super hero or something. Nobody’d try to cross you. Heck, no one would dare challenge you. You’re untouchable.
Imagine it. Nobody could hurt you unless you let them. It’d be like having this big wall all around you, sheltering you from the world and all the people who might try to harm you. And they’d only get in close enough to touch you if you let them. And even then, they’d never be too close, if you know what I mean.
Jesus had to know his road was likely going to lead to death. He knew the things he was going to say, the people he was going to run afoul of and what they could do. He had to be thinking of that, standing up there with the afternoon breeze rustling his clothes and hair. Surely he heard what the Tempter was implying, that this wasn’t just a stunt, this could very well save his life.
I mean, it was almost like he wanted people to see him as a vulnerable person. It’s as though he wanted the exact opposite of what the Devil was offering him: weakness instead of strength.
What was he thinking? Surely he got how much it can hurt to be mortal and human, how soft and undefended we are. It’s as though he wanted people to get close enough to harm him, to beat him down, to cause him pain.
And why? What did he think he would gain from putting aside his defenses and any facade that he was anything other than just like you and me? What good did he think would come from giving us that kind of example?
It’s as though being vulnerable was the point.
Jesus, you know how dangerous it is to be human, and you took it on without armor or shield, vulnerable enough for anyone to draw close. I am not as brave as you; so, I need your help to lower my defenses to allow others and you close, close enough to touch me.