February 19, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16:1-4
OBSERVATIONS
The religious leaders do not want to believe Jesus, they are offended by Him (Matthew 15:12) and want to kill Him (Matthew 12:14). Jesus refuses to play their game. He uses a variation of the saying: “Red sky at night, sailors delight; red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.” He essentially says, ‘if you are so good at figuring out the weather, why can’t you figure out what God is doing?’ You might say that figuring out the weather is easier, but keep in mind that Jesus has been performing so many signs, and yet they still do not believe.
The sign of Jonah, the prophet who tries to hide from God and ‘dies’ in the ocean, only to come back after being rescued by God. Jesus is saying ‘wait and see, you will see a sign like never before, when I die and come back because God rescues/resurrects me’. Unfortunately, when someone does not want to believe, no amount of evidence will change their minds (Matthew 28:11-15).
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
Many people struggle with faith and doubt. This passage seems to suggest that God does not play games with people who are not first of all open to Him. God does not perform miracles, like magic tricks, whenever we want.
It takes an open heart to experience the spiritual and the supernatural. What some people call open-minded, others call gullible; what some people call skeptical, others call close-minded.
The religious leaders would need to look deeper into why they were against Jesus; modern day critics ought to do the same thing. Often there are deeper motives or reasons that are not as reasonable as they might claim them to be.
People may demand proof, but Jesus will not play that game. Even if He did, they would probably not believe it.
How open or close-minded am I? How gullible or skeptical am I? Why am I open to believing some things, yet closed to believing others?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I want to believe, help me in my unbelief.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Sign
Show me a sign. Let me know you are real. How many times do we cry this out. We strive for clear direction in our lives. We want to know that God is real, we want to feel his presence, or see a sign that shows that his is unmistakeably in control
What does Jesus say to those who asked for a sign? No. In fact, he tells them that they are a wicked generation for asking for a sign. I wonder if they scratched their heads about the sign they would receive was the sign of Jonah. Jesus was providing signs all over the place by healing people, and freeing people from possession. This was a great time for those who could witness these signs. Gideon asked for a sign, and God provided a sign. Moses was given signs prior to going to Pharaoh.
So perhaps it was what the Pharisees and Sadducees were hoping to do with a sign? Every situation is different, and Jesus looks at his situation. Does this make asking God to reveal himself to us in a real way wrong? Are we turning ourselves into a wicked and adulterous generation? Or do we go the other way, and say that because we have never personally witnessed a miracle, that they do not exist? Or do we have a quiet faith that Jesus is who he says he is, and witness his wonder in the beauty of nature, of caring for others, and listening to His gentle prodding.
Observations:
The two groups, who couldn’t get along because of the views, were united in their opposition of Jesus.
They demanded a sign. They wanted to trick Jesus and have Him stumble and fall so that His following would be theirs once again. Their ‘HeartLight’ came through and through. Eyes they have but do not see. God’s power is all around them and even used to determine the weather. Open your eyes and see!
Application:
Jealousy came through – we want to be like Jesus and have His following, His popularity, His power, His insights. From the heart comes the issues of life and here once again we see the ‘heartlight’ of the religious leaders of the day. Those who were to know and lead the people were not. They wanted to have God in their pocket and do their desires. Their way and not God’s way.
Prayer:
Open my eyes Lord this day so I may see Your majesty and power at work in me and all around. Open my ears Lord that I continue to hear Your voice saying – This is the Way. Walk in it. Never leave me nor forsake me. Let my ‘HeartLight’ always shine for jesus.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat)
The right word to say,
the best move to make
Who’s in need of a helping hand
For Your perfect ways are worthy of praise
I delight just to do Your plan
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat to beginning)
Help me to know Your will
Help me to know Your will