February 17

Matthew 16:1-12 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." So he left them and departed.

Observation

The Pharisees and Sadducees were two major groups of the religious elite who were very different from one another in principles and in conduct; yet, they combined their force to trap Jesus because he was in direct opposition as a threat to their religious and social standing in society. So the readers of the gospel records easily find these conflicts between Jesus and these groups. Again, we read their another attempt to trap Jesus from today's passage. Why were they asking another sign from Jesus? Was it because what they had seen up to this point was simply not enough such healing of the sick, feeding of the hungry crowds, and commanding of the nature? Or had they truly thought it possible even to demand a sign of their choosing, a sign that would truly convince them to put their trust in the Messiah?

No wonder Jesus called them "an evil and adulterous generation!" They were evil because they chose not to believe what their eyes had seen and what their ears had heard. They were adulterous because they interpreted God's word based upon their traditions and experiences, and, in turn, misled the people of God to the way of hypocrisy. As a result, God's ways were dangerously compromised because of their false teachings. Jesus knew well another sign would not convince them to put their trust in the Messiah. What they truly needed was their heart transformation based on what their eyes had already seen and their ears had already heard. So Jesus gives another sign from heaven that they already knew well, the sign of Jonah. Then, the ball is in their court to make the decision.

Application

I wonder how strong and firm my understanding of who Jesus is in my life. In other words, what is the foundation of my faith? Is it the written Word of God recorded in the Scriptures? Is it really enough for me to walk on this journey of faith all the way to the end or do I need to have some other signs? To be very frank, it would help quite a bit if my prayers were rather immediately answered, especially when I am in great needs. For example, my plead with God for Laura's complete recovery is being answered sooner than later in a miraculous way. However, this shouldn't (and can't) dictate my faith in Jesus. Like the sign of Jonah, the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of my faith in Him. Although I can't fully understand all the life-happenings taking place in life, the Spirit of God enables me to make the choice of putting my trust in Him.

Prayer

Father in heaven, I praise you for answering all my prayers in your ways in your time. Yet, you know how vulnerable I can become from time to time even with all these answered prayers. So I ask you to increase my faith to always remember and appreciate what Jesus had done on the cross. May this truth be enough for me to live this day and the rest of my life for your righteousness and your kingdom! Amen.

--p. han song