Paradoxically, Jesus eventually does all the things the devil suggests. But he does them in his own time and in his own way. He turns five loaves and two fish into an all-time eatout for five thousand. This, while it is essentially the same trick as making himself a miraculous snack, is not only more of a sign but also one that serves to intensify rather than vitiate his commitment to left-handed power.
Furthermore, instead of merely circumventing death by having angels catch him (a sign, please note, that would promise nothing to the rest of us who are not messiahs), he dies as dead as anyone
...more
