Tempt God, 1962 September 13

Description

In the second temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Thurman explains why Jesus resisted making himself an exception to the rule of the natural order. The tempter’s efforts to convince Jesus to operate beyond the logic of physical reality was an effort to get him to be less human. Jesus did not act outside of life so that he could speak to human life, Thurman notes. No one can do as one pleases or “disregard the structure of dependability that holds life in focus.” Trusting God rather than seeking exceptions to the natural order is what allows one to feel the closeness of God, Thurman says, and feel the hand of Jesus “on my shoulder speaking the word of reassurance” and offering peace.