Question:
Answer:
No, Jesus doesn’t dare us in the way you use the term. Those who dare us that way do so out of pride, not love, so that they might trip us up in some way and thus tempt us to needlessly prove ourselves in some risky way. In short, they’re not looking out for our welfare.
In contrast, Jesus lovingly offers us the gift of eternal salvation (see John 3:16-17), for which he paid with his blood, giving his life on our behalf (see John 15:13). We cannot earn that salvific gift, as if we could prove ourselves to God in a Pelagianistic way. Yet we must willingly receive that gift and persevere in it as his disciples.
In that light, Jesus challenges us to trust him and carry our cross daily (see Matt. 7:13-14, 5:43-48), assuring us that we will not trust him in vain (see John 8:31-32, 14:6).