I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness and then on the pinnacle of the temple (Matthew 4:1-11). Both temptations had the same principle. It was a sourcing issue. He had just been filled with the Spirit and was sourced by the Father. Look where it got Him! He ended up in a barren wilderness with nothing to eat for forty days. For the very sake of surviving He must take charge of the situation. He must source turning stone into bread (self-source). Jesus refused such a thought. He would rather die (cross) than self-source. The second temptation was a different location. In the comfort of Jerusalem, the big city, on the pinnacle of the temple the devil tempted Him to perform His first act of ministry. He refused to perform any action. The principle of a Spirit-sourced Man is to respond to the Spirit. God acts; we respond. The devil was suggesting that Jesus act and let God respond. Jesus was victorious (Spirit-sourced)!
However, this temptation never seems to disappear. It may lie dominate for a time, but it will strike again and again. Jesus will move into the Galilean ministry. The crowds will respond to the physical miracles and desire to make Him their King (John 6:15). But they wanted a king who would respond to their actions. They speak and He responds. The principle was wrong; it is self-sourced. Peter stated His great confession of Christ (Matthew 16:16). Only a few hours would pass and Peter would rebuke Him to His face for proposing His crucifixion. Self-sourcing will not tolerate a cross, the loss of one’s life. Self-sourcing requires a life lived for self, out of self.
How ironic that I could be a self-sourced Jesus pusher. It could be my tradition, my religion, my theology, or my decision. I want to be a Jesus pusher who is captured by Jesus. I want His person to permeate my entire being until He sources mind, will, and emotion. Self can be religious; only Jesus can be Jesus. Oh, I want Jesus to be Jesus through me to my world. Jesus, source Me! I am a Jesus pusher!!!