I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus had such great victory in spiritual battle. In the midst of forty days of temptation Jesus would not weaken to the devil’s suggestions. It was at the end of the second temptation, Jesus cried out, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God,’” (Matthew 4:7). In all three of the temptations Jesus answered Satan with the words “It is written.” It is a direct reference to the Scriptures. However, this time He adds the word again. The focus of this Greek word (palin) translated again is not just repeating. Although in relation to time, it can mean “one more time.” But it also includes the idea of “back.” It is the idea of simply returning back to a former place, state, or act. In other words, Jesus is taking Satan right back to His position from the start. Nothing new is presented; the defense is not altered. The core value of the Father’s great love and the sourcing of the Spirit which provides intimacy in this love is still His position. In this second temptation, the devil may have taken Jesus to a new location, the temple, but Jesus refuses to move from His permanent location in the Father. The circumstances may change around Him, but His position will not.
As the Father was His position of safety and security, so Jesus is my haven. No amount of theology will add to it; no spiritual disciplines will increase it. He alone is my shelter. It is in the intimacy of His embrace I will dwell. If I must run into His arms, it indicates I have gone off on my own. I must not do so! One split second without Him and I am back in my failure and defeat. In every temptation or circumstance, I will simply state “again!” He is my permanent position. I am fixed in Him. Here I can rest. There is no worry or stress in His presence. I will dwell in His love. I am a Jesus pusher!!!