The Second temptation of Jesus Christ: Don't pry for unwanted attention



According to the Gospel of Matthew 4: 5-7, Jesus was tempted by being taken to Jerusalem and made to stand on the highest point of the temple. Then the devil challenges him to throw himself down since the scriptures say that angels will protect him from any harm. But Jesus refuses by saying that he will not test God, his father.

“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “Throw yourself down. For it is written:
‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone’.”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to test.’ ”
~Matthew 4:5 - 7

The temple on which Jesus stood on was built by King Herod. It was almost 15 stories high and had a huge courtyard, where people roamed throughout the day. Jesus stood on the pinnacle from which trumpets were sounded to draw the city’s attention during important events.  Jumping from the top of such a building could have captured the crowd’s attention for sure. And if the crowds had seen angels protect a man jumping off like that, they would have instantly proclaimed him as a prophet. The devil was also offering a shortcut to win crowds over.

But Jesus refused. Not only did he refuse to test God, but he also established that he would not win crowds or fame by displaying his power.

 Even though Jesus healed and performed miracles, we see that throughout the Gospels he focused on teaching the crowds about Kingdom of God, not gaining personal fame. He healed out of compassion and love. He drove spirits and raised dead because he loved the people. His intention wasn’t to gain glory for himself but only for the Father.

And that is what he wishes for us to imitate. Do not use God’s power gifted to you to gain fame or recognition. Do not walk around, bragging about how you prophesy and change people’s life. If your intentions were proper and good, your actions would speak for themselves. 

Of course, you can testify how God listened to your prayers and performed a healing through you. But don’t let your testimonies become bragging. 

Bragging is usually not in your words but in your attitude. Don’t break your head trying to figure out if your testimonies were bragging in the past. Your attitude is what counts. If you testified as a viewer of the miracle, good. But if you had testified as the performer of the miracle to let people know how holy and powerful you are, it’s not wise. For we cannot perform miracles on our own but only through Christ. 

So let us be sure not to use our God given gifts for our own glory or to gain attention but instead, glorify God to whom it actually belongs.

          ~Lilac Blossom

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