Symbols of Resistance

Resisting temptation is as much a part of life as “doing the right thing.” Jesus did not call the more than 60,000 angels available to him to disperse the mob in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:23). He could “even now” ask the Father to send them, having already prayed earnestly three times to the Father not to let him get crucified.

He did not use any personal powers to drive his attackers away. John 18:6 does indicate that “they drew back and fell to the ground” when he confirmed that he was the One they were looking for. Interesting!

Though repeatedly taunted by religious leaders, by the two insurrectionists crucified beside him, by passers-by (Matthew 27:38-44), and the soldiers that had driven the spikes (Luke 23:36), he did not yield to the temptation to come down from the cross to spectacularly demonstrate his claims. Saving himself would have relieved the unbelievable pain—but lost the cause.

Like a lamb that doesn’t bleat before its shearers (Isaiah 53:7), Jesus didn’t rail out condemnations against those falsely accusing him as someone worthy of such a way to die.

Today and in the days ahead, we will cope with temptations to “do the wrong thing.” Here’s a way to look at it: we’re taking in these representations of his body and blood, so we have in us Jesus’ appointed emblems of resistance to temptation.