Overcoming Desire for Self-Preservation.
Again, Satan tempted Jesus to show that He is the Son of God by being protected from harm and thus death by throwing Himself off the Temple.
`Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, 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 shall give His angels charge over you,` and, `In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.`” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.`”
Then when Jesus was betrayed in the garden one of His disciples used a sword to protect Him. Jesus revealed that He could ask the Father for protection against death by sending twelve legions of angels but that way wouldn`t fulfill the Father`s plans. Jesus said –
“ Put up your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How could the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”(Matt. 26: 53)
Being protected from death was not helping mankind. Jesus knew that it was only by going to the cross and taking on Himself the sins of the world, that He would overcome the devil and his power over death. It was not through self-preservation.
`Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.` (Heb. 2: 14 & 15)
Jesus did not seek self-interest for protection but looked to the Father as He obeyed.
`Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.` (Heb. 5: 7 & 8)
Again, Satan tempted Jesus to show that He is the Son of God by being protected from harm and thus death by throwing Himself off the Temple.
`Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, 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 shall give His angels charge over you,` and, `In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.`” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.`”
Then when Jesus was betrayed in the garden one of His disciples used a sword to protect Him. Jesus revealed that He could ask the Father for protection against death by sending twelve legions of angels but that way wouldn`t fulfill the Father`s plans. Jesus said –
“ Put up your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How could the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”(Matt. 26: 53)
Being protected from death was not helping mankind. Jesus knew that it was only by going to the cross and taking on Himself the sins of the world, that He would overcome the devil and his power over death. It was not through self-preservation.
`Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.` (Heb. 2: 14 & 15)
Jesus did not seek self-interest for protection but looked to the Father as He obeyed.
`Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.` (Heb. 5: 7 & 8)
