Matthew 16:1-12
Monday, 23 September 2024
‘The Pharisees and the Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.’ -Matthew 16:1
Are these times any better than what we have in our reading today? When people are asked to give their lives to Jesus, they constantly want a sign so that they would be satisfied knowing that He is someone special. But Jesus does not need to prove himself nor try to impress people so that they would trust Him. He wants each of us to take a step of faith to follow Him, to experience His life-changing power in our lives.
The teachers of the Law of Jesus’ times demanded a sign from heaven. They were unwilling to believe all the proofs that were available before them, that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. In another context Jesus speaks to them thus: “You search the Scriptures, for you believe they give you eternal life. And the Scriptures point to me! Yet you won’t come to me so that I can give you this life eternal!” (John 5:39-40 TLB) Even today to the many truth seekers: Everything we need to know about Christ Jesus is written down in God’s Word- the Bible. We just need to believe the Word of God and then take a step to put our faith in Him.
We are living in a time where there is so much of advancement in Science and Technology. So putting our faith in God’s Word to some, seem very foolish. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were no better, wanting a sign from heaven. Today they are replaced by great scientists, thinkers, philosophers and gurus who seem to question the very existence of God and who also think they have all the answers to life’s problems. They leave God out of the equation in their intellectual and rational thinking.
In Matthew 16:11 Jesus warned the people “…to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” It applies even today to the erroneous doctrines that are slowly but steadily put in the minds of people that gradually take over and lead believers astray. It is again warned in 2 Timothy 4:3 [NLT]: “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” These people may sound very intelligent, exciting and fancy with all the words they use but remember the WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE are found only with Christ Jesus as revealed in His Word. The many “new revelations” by new preachers or teachers may lead you astray from the basic truths of God’s Word. Beware!
Today are you expecting God to prove himself personally to you before you believe? If you simply step forward in faith and believe, you will begin to see the miracles that God can do with your life—the first and greatest one being the miracle of being saved- made anew in Christ so that your life can be directed in the Creator’s master plan for you! If you are ready with that first step, Romans 10: 9 [AMP] is for you: “…if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Thought for the Day: “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Listen: 'Creator King'
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