Mark
8:11-13 “The Pharisees
came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from
heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this
generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the
other side.
Pastor
JJ continued his Sunday Sermon series on the gospel of Mark this week with
chapter that challenged us to look and see if we are doing the very same thing.
We all come to a place where we ask the question: “Why?” Why are we here? Why
did God put me in this place at this time in history? Why don’t I see miracles
happening today? Why don’t we see signs from God? One thing we know is, that
the answer is not: “That’s just the way it is.” We know that God is faithful,
but we do not always see what the Lord is up to in this world. But the
Pharisees both heard of Jesus’ miracles, healings, teachings and lives changed,
and even saw some in person, but now ask for a “sign from heaven” on demand.
Jesus
shows us what God means by the Law, because the Lord knew that miracles were
not enough for people who doubt and harden their heart to believe. Jesus wasn’t
here to perform, but to obey Father God. Have you ever heard anyone say: “If
God would just do ___________ (fill in the blank) for me, then I’ll believe.”?
Maybe, said it ourselves before? Are our eyes blinded to who Christ really was
and is? When a heart gets hardened towards the things of God, what will break
through?
Mark
8:14-18 The disciples had forgotten to bring
bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch
out for the yeast of the Pharisees and
that of Herod.” They
discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked
them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see
or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and
ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?
Yeast permeates throughout dough
corrupting the mixture and causing it to “puff up”. Jesus warns us to beware of
the symbolic yeast that “puffs us up” with arrogance and pride of self. We need
to humble ourselves and pray: “Heavenly Father, I don’t have this life figured
out, but I put my trust in you and will be faithful to follow you, no matter
what”. Instead, many say: “Show me a sign” and not getting it. The questions
really are: “Is Jesus (the Way, the Truth and the Life) enough?” Do we see the
fullness of His glory as Lord and Savior? Who do we say Jesus is?
More on this next time, as
we reach verse 27.
Blessings, in Christ, Brian
4 comments:
Is it possible that we are so into our lives that we walk with blinders and don't focus on what god has given us. In other words we are selfish and don't thank god for giving us what's around us because we're focused on what we only want to see.
Those who asked for a sign come right after the feeding of the four thousand in Mark 8:6-9. The message I get is even if a sign is as clear as day, we want something else. There is no sign or healing that satisfy those who refuse to see.
Thank you for great the anonymous comment. Not only is it possible to be into our lives that we are blind to the "Life-Giver", it seems that we are hard-wired towards this. Is it easier to live a disciplined and righteous life before God or a lawless egocentric existence on auto-pilot? No doubt, prideful and greedy egoism distracts us from God and all that He has given us, and we are so easily distracted. You have mentioned the need for our focus being on our Creator, Lord and Savior, where all really comes from, and with gratitude, giving Him praise, honor and the glory. Because of "original sin", this is everybody's battle and it takes effort to keep your eyes on Jesus and do what is "right" in the eyes of the Lord. Recognizing the need is the first step. Excellent point!
UG Pewster, Thanks for stopping by and pointing out "the Elephant in the room". These people asking from a supernatural miracle sign from heaven has just seen Jesus do many miracles, so "what's up with the test?" Bible Commentary of Matthew Henry speaking of the perverse and obstinate unbelief of the Pharisees says: "If they 'will not' be convinced, they 'shall not'." Nicodemus' assessment of Jesus' Their harden heart distrust of Christ's providence is natural to "fallen mankind". Only in true belief is our heart transformed anew and by faith our spirit regenerated in rebirth from above to His nature with eyes that see and ears that hear. The gospel is salvation and so much more ... it's life and life abundant, now and eternal. Great point.
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