The Wilderness and the Cross Part 4

"In the course of time, however, he [Herod] went up to the temple and built round about the enclosing walls of the temple cloisters, upon new foundations, and also raised up the eastern cloister as a support to the eastern portico, upon a great and immense depth, where it was surrounded by a deep valley, which was at the first very steep; and when one looked down from the top of the roof, down both those altitudes, he would be giddy, while his sight could not reach to such an immense depth." (Antiquities 15:411-412)

Luke 4:9 ESV

And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,

Luke 4:10–11 ESV

for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”

Jesus knows you can stand in the temple and still be corrupt.

Luke 19:45–46 ESV

And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

Luke 21:5–6 ESV

And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Jesus knows you can quote Scripture and still be wrong.

Luke 2:46 ESV

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

"Have you not read what David did?” (Luke 6:1-5)

"Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath?” (Luke 6:6-11)

“What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10:25-29)

“You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup ...” (Luke 11:39)

“You tithe mint ...” (Luke 11:42)

“Woe to you lawyers!” (Luke 11:52)

“Do you untie your donkey on the Sabbath?” (Luke 13:15)

“Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath or not?” (Luke 14:3)

Jesus knows you can’t ignore context.

Psalm 91:11–12 ESV

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:2 ESV

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:3–6 ESV

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

Jesus knew Satan was exactly who people needed rescued from.

Psalm 91:11–13 ESV

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

Genesis 3:14–15 ESV

The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Jesus knows trusting God is not the same as testing God.

Luke 4:12 ESV

And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

Luke 22:42–43 ESV

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

Angels did not save Jesus from the cross, but they helped him endure it.