
In 1962, The Drifters, an American group, released their hit song ‘Up on the Roof'. The tune celebrates the rooftop as an ideal place for getting a way from the stresses of life below.
However, scripture warns us in several places that trouble may still find us even there, as we take in our surroundings and let our guard down. The rooftop is a dangerous place for a king.
In 2 Samuel 11, we read the account of King David going for a walk on his rooftop where he saw a woman bathing.
Though she was another man’s wife, He lusted after her and went against the written law of God, committing adultery with her. He succumbed to what the bible calls ‘the lust of the flesh.’ As part of God’s judgment, that same rooftop would later feature prominently in his own rebellious son Absalom’s violation of David’s concubines in an attempt to take his father’s throne.
Years later, another king in a faraway land would fall into a different sin on his palace rooftop. As absolute ruler and lord of all he surveyed, Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was lifted up with pride at all he
had accomplished. "Is this not Babylon that I have built?”, he boasted aloud. Nebuchadnezzar ignored God's warning one year earlier via Daniel the Prophet to humble himself and practice justice.
The promised judgment came and he fell from exalted ruler to beast-like madman for the period of time that God decided.
Another Rooftop, Another King
Centuries passed. The Tempter, who had been hidden in the earlier encounters, revealed himself to another king at the end of a forty-day fast in the desert. Appealing to pride, he took him to the rooftop of his Father's house, the Jewish Temple, and told him to throw himself off and let God send angels to catch him 'lest he dash his foot against a stone.'
This time though, the outcome was different though. The sinless King, Jesus, resisted the temptation by using the word of God. He was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. He triumphed and would later die and rise again to ultimately free his children from the power of sin.
We all have rooftop experiences from time to time, where we enjoy our accomplishments or just go for a break from life, but may we never forget the hidden dangers of that exalted condition. May we look to our Saviour who did not yield to temptation but triumphed on a rooftop.
Take 5 When was your last rooftop moment? Remember Jesus, next time you find yourself on the rooftop.
By Paul Crichlow
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