Swimming with the Sharks

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”  (Matthew 4:1-7 ESV).

 

It might have been the report from Port Aransas that piqued our interest in “Shark Week” on the National Geographic channel. We always read with interest the stories about the attacks in Florida because David’s family lives so close to the beaches in south Florida. There are always risks when you swim in the ocean, though they are not as common as some of the other risks we take regularly. However, we all are risk takers to one degree or another. Some of these risks are more dangerous than others. People may take a risk for the adrenaline rush. Or because something compels them: a principle, a duty, a commitment. Knowing that reminds me of our reading today.

 

In today’s Scripture, the devil pushes Jesus to take a risk. While Jesus stands at the highest point of the temple, the devil whispers in his ear, “Go ahead. Jump off!” Then the devil recites a verse from Psalm 91. That psalm is all about God protecting the people who trust in him. So, it’s a test for Jesus: “Do you trust God to protect you? Then prove it!” Well, of course Jesus trusts God. But there is more to it than that. You see, it’s never right to say, “I’m going to do something foolish just to test God’s protection.” So, Jesus tells the devil to take a leap of his miscalculation. He responds by quoting another text: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

 

Jesus is already in the middle of a bigger risk. He is facing off against the devil. And that is dangerous. Human beings have a terrible history in those confrontations. But the Spirit has sent him into battle. So, Jesus takes the risk and confronts the devil head-on. He does it with confidence, because he trusts God to protect him. With Psalm 91 to encourage him, Jesus doesn’t fall or fail. Neither will we as we trust Him!