Testing

What action would you take [in your car] when elderly people are crossing the road?

1. Wave them across so they know you have seen them

2. Be patient and allow them to cross in their own time

3. Rev the engine to let them know you are waiting

4. Tap the horn in case they are hard of hearing

Before I took my UK driving theory test about 19 years ago, I always thought questions like this (from the AA Theory Test for Car Drivers) were ridiculous because B is obvious. I now recognise that good test questions don't just reveal competence, they can also teach us. By using a question to confront dangerous or inconsiderate things we might do when an elderly person is crossing the road, we are given the opportunity to consider why an option is good or bad before choosing the best option. When Jesus was tested in the wilderness, notice how he refused the options presented to him by the devil.

As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.' Jesus answered, 'It is written: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."' Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."' Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."' Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."' Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (Matt 3:16 - 4:11)

Immediately after the Father bestowed favor and blessing on his son Jesus, the Spirit he had just received led him into the wilderness where he was tested (the same Greek word as 'tempted'). God doesn't allow us to be tested so we can prove that we're worthy or so he can flunk those not deemed worthy. Testing exposes ways we try to gain our identity, security, significance, and provision apart from him. Jesus didn't try to provide for his own hunger apart from God's provision, or test God's care for him ('Lord, if you love me you will do X…'), or seek security and significance apart from God. Instead of arguing with the devil, he quoted Scripture and then told him to go away.

I passed my driving theory test the first time but failed my first practical test. What you know about driving must be tested in the way you drive before you receive a license. In the same way, what you know as a Christian must be tested because...

'The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything... Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (Jamies 1:3,12)

In what ways have you been tested this past year? How have you tried to get your identity, security, significance, and provision outside of him? Has the enemy been shaming you with accusations like, 'If you really are a child of your Father in heaven, you would/wouldn't…' Let us respond to our testing by choosing God and his ways, not simply because 'it's the right thing to do' but because we genuinely trust him and his Word and see for ourselves that other options presented by the world, the flesh and the devil aren't his best for us.