PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 16:1-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky…” (Matthew 16:3)
We have a lot of knowledge about the world, we know and can explain so much today.
“But you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” (Matthew 16:3)
We know so much, and yet we seem to run short on wisdom.
Despite our amazing knowledge, we still do stupid things, blindly stumbling into folly.
Wisdom looks beyond the facts to what they mean for us.
Knowledge can predict the rain, but wisdom gets the umbrella out.
Wisdom would have already seen the signs regarding who Jesus was, and what he did.
What he said and did were plain enough, like predicting rain when it is already falling.
Jesus is challenging them for testing him, instead of trusting him.
Instead of looking for a sign, consider the wisdom of what Jesus said and did.
Think about the problems in our world and in our lives, and how following Jesus could help.
The way of gracious, faithful and sacrificial love in all our relationships is so obvious.
There are plenty of compelling signs to glean wisdom from… if we want to.
The question is, are we getting the umbrella out (responding wisely)?
PRAYER
Lord, what you said and did makes sense to me, I see the wisdom of it. I’ve got you as my umbrella, I want to stay under my umbrella.
Here the religious leaders who hated each other joined forces asking Jesus for a sign. There were sign but their hearts were hardened so that they could not see. How does one argue against hearts of stone? Jesus confronts their blindness and then leaves to fulfill His purpose. I too need to turn away from senseless arguments which is only possible when I am Spirit Led – having an open heart listening and doing His Word in my life.
Spirit of the living God
Fall fresh on me
Spirit of the living God
Fall fresh on me
Break me, melt me, mold me fill me
Spirit of the living God
Fall fresh on me
I know sometimes I look for a ‘sign’ as well. i do seek a ‘fleece’ – asking God to help me in my decision making – I want to be led by a desire to do His will. Yet, they were looking for a sign to prove that Jesus is the true Messiah. They doubted him – so Jesus told them the only sign they will witness is the sign of Jonah- 3days/nights in the body of a fish and back onto shore to preach a message that saved the lives of the Ninevites that believed his message. Jesus went into the grave and broke through death for me – and now his message saves me by believing. thank you Lord for this sign! Yet what does it take to help others believe? A working of your HS in the hearts of those who hear!