Save Yourself

Since it is Holy week, I’ve been reading over the passages in the Bible relating to the death and resurrection of Jesus. The following verse caught my attention:

“If you are the Son of God, save yourself.” (Matt. 27:40 NLT)

I remembered reading something similar in an earlier chapter, recounting the temptation of Jesus by the devil:

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of Bread.” (Matt. 4:3 NLT)

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.” (Matt. 4:6 ESV)

What do these incidences have in common?
One is at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the other is at the end. In both instances, Jesus is vulnerable. Yet, he is able to withstand the temptation to save himself. The divine spirit within trumps the human spirit. The Son of God transcends the Son of Man.

When we are vulnerable, weak, and desperate, the devil tempts us:
Save yourself, provide for yourself, take care of yourself, prove yourself.
Unlike Jesus, our human weakness overpowers the divine spirit within us. We feel compelled to save ourselves or prove ourselves, thus circumventing the display of God’s glory.