Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Why Didn't Jesus Jump?

“I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10


Praise Report  


God continues to move in mighty ways through our congregation. Allow me just to show you his blessings by the numbers.  In 2013: our worship attendance averaged 1287 on a weekend; at least 501 different people were involved in Bible classes; 47 adults were confirmed in the Christian faith and 61 children were brought into Jesus’ family through baptism.  Some people have said to me, “John, you are a numbers person.”  My answer is, “You’re right!  Every number represents a soul Jesus died for.  You bet numbers matter!”

Did You Ever Wonder???

Q:  Did you ever wonder why the devil took Jesus up to the top of the Temple in Jerusalem and told him to jump? (Matthew 4:5-6)

A:  The Temple was built on the top of Mount Zion. The top of the mountain was leveled out into a plateau, and on that plateau the whole area of the Temple buildings stood. There was one corner at which Solomon's Porch and the Royal Porch met, and at that corner there was a sheer drop of four hundred and fifty feet into the valley of the Kedron below. Why shouldn’t Jesus stand on that pinnacle, and jump down, and land unharmed in the valley below?  People would surely take notice and would follow a man who could do that!  


On the top of the roof of the Temple itself there was a place where every morning a priest stood with a trumpet in his hands, waiting for the first flush of the dawn across the hills of Hebron. At the first dawn light he sounded the trumpet to tell people that the hour of morning sacrifice had come. Why shouldn’t Jesus stand there, and jump down right into the Temple court, and amaze people? Had not Malachi said, "The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple"? (Malachi 3:1). Was there not a promise that the angels would carry God's Son with their hands making sure no harm comes to him? (Psalms 91:11-12).

This was the very method that the false Messiahs who were continually arising promised. Theudas had led the people out, and had promised with a word to split the waters of Jordan in two. The famous Egyptian pretender (Acts 21:38) had promised that with a word he would lay flat the walls of Jerusalem. Simon Magus, so it is said, had promised to fly through the air and had died in the attempt. These pretenders had offered miracles which they could not perform. Jesus could perform anything he promised. Why shouldn’t he do it?

There were two good reasons why Jesus did not adopt that course of action. First, he who seeks to attract people to him by providing them with “a show” has adopted a way in which there is literally no future. The reason is simple. To retain his power he must produce ever greater and greater “shows”.  This year's sensation is next year's Netflix feature. A gospel founded on miracle-mongering is doomed to failure. Second, that is not the way to use the power of God. "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test," said Jesus (Deuteronomy 6:16). He meant this; there is no good seeing how far you can go with God; there is no good in putting yourself deliberately into harms way, and doing it quite recklessly and needlessly, and then expecting God to rescue you from it. (Barclay commentary used)

The Next Sermon Series

Tough Questions Christians Hope No One Asks Them

April 20, 2014
Isn’t believing in an empty tomb the same as the Easter bunny?

April 27, 2014                  
Why rely on religion in an age of science?

May 4, 2014                      
One Asks – Why do you think Jesus was God?

May 11, 2014                    
Why should I believe God sends people to hell?


       I look forward to seeing you this weekend!

                                 Dr. John Parlow




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