June 3, 2013

“Religionist Test”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:
Matthew 16:1-4
Mark 8:11-13
Luke 11:16
John 6:30

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The Pharisees and Sadducees sought to test Jesus.
They seek to test us today.

They demanded a sign from Him.
They demand “signs” from us.

Think of all the healing, the feeding, the teaching they had heard from Jesus.
Yet, they wanted “a sign”.

Jesus tells them that they could tell the weather by looking at the sky, yet they could not judge/evaluate the signs of the times.

Jesus said that the only sign He would give was the sign of Jonah.

He gives more insight here…

Matthew 12:39-41
New English Translation (NET)

39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41 The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented when Jonah preached to them—and now, something greater than Jonah is here!

Some truths for us to know:

• the Religious will demand signs, all the while rejecting the truth before their eyes
• Jesus affirmed the historicity of Jonah - many/most of the Religious today reject the story
• Jesus’ statement about the sign of Jonah speaks of His being in “the belly of the earth” and subsequent resurrection - 3 days/3 nights reveals that “our” traditional understanding of Easter/Holy Week timing is incorrect.

Fear not when challenged by the Religionist.
Study/know His Word.
Speak the Truth, in love.