Jesus's second temptation in the desert (according to Matthew) was to get dramatic. The satan suggested that Jesus throw himself down from the Temple mount. The accuser quoted a Bible verse about God protecting his servant. God would not let Jesus splat himself on the stone walkway. Everyone would see the rescue, and right away, Jesus would have proven his Messiahship. What could go wrong?
Jesus also quotes a Bible verse, that one should not put God to the test. Even as Jesus is being tested, he realizes that he should not put his Father to the test.
Again, Jesus dismisses a sure-fire, fast way to being crowned king of Israel. The fast way to success, the easy way to power, is not the way of God. Jesus knows that his crown will be of thorns, and his throne will be a cross. It will be painful. And resisting this temptation is painful.
Jesus refuses dramatic fame. His path to greatness will be through defeat.
How often do we choose the way of losing, in order to win true victory?
