Spiritual Eyes
Matthew 16:1-12 (NLT)
One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.
Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”
Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Reflection
Jesus had already proven what He could do, but the religious leaders wanted more. How many times would Jesus have to do miraculous acts before people would start to believe? It is safe to say Jesus was still stinging from His interaction with the Pharisees and Sadducees when He chastised the apostles for arguing about having no bread. Having, or not having, bread was the least of their worries.
Jesus was not concerned with filling stomachs. That was the easy part. Hadn’t He shown them time after time that He could provide physical sustenance? Jesus was focused on filling hearts and souls with truth and understanding. He was warning the apostles to watch for false teachings, because those teachings could pull them away from a healthy relationship with God, and even destroy their faith.
Sometimes we need to pause and look back in thankfulness for all Jesus has already done for us before we continue to take faith steps towards God. We need to continually and prayerfully renew our trust in a God who has proven time and time again that He will always sustain us if and when we focus on His truth.
Action Steps
Do you ever catch yourself asking God to show you a sign as you work your way through a problem or hardship? In essence, we are asking God to once again prove Himself to us, instead of trusting that He already has our backs and knows what is best for us. Spend some time today thanking God, and acknowledging to Him that what He has done for us in the past helps us to understand what He is doing for us in the here and now.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have proven time and time again how powerful You are and how faithful You are to us. Help me to remember this, and to never doubt Your abilities as I go forward in my faith journey. Help me to keep my spiritual eyes peeled for those who want to deceive me and pull me away from Your loving arms. Help me to help others, by always speaking truth to them about Your amazing grace. Amen.
One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.
Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”
Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Reflection
Jesus had already proven what He could do, but the religious leaders wanted more. How many times would Jesus have to do miraculous acts before people would start to believe? It is safe to say Jesus was still stinging from His interaction with the Pharisees and Sadducees when He chastised the apostles for arguing about having no bread. Having, or not having, bread was the least of their worries.
Jesus was not concerned with filling stomachs. That was the easy part. Hadn’t He shown them time after time that He could provide physical sustenance? Jesus was focused on filling hearts and souls with truth and understanding. He was warning the apostles to watch for false teachings, because those teachings could pull them away from a healthy relationship with God, and even destroy their faith.
Sometimes we need to pause and look back in thankfulness for all Jesus has already done for us before we continue to take faith steps towards God. We need to continually and prayerfully renew our trust in a God who has proven time and time again that He will always sustain us if and when we focus on His truth.
Action Steps
Do you ever catch yourself asking God to show you a sign as you work your way through a problem or hardship? In essence, we are asking God to once again prove Himself to us, instead of trusting that He already has our backs and knows what is best for us. Spend some time today thanking God, and acknowledging to Him that what He has done for us in the past helps us to understand what He is doing for us in the here and now.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have proven time and time again how powerful You are and how faithful You are to us. Help me to remember this, and to never doubt Your abilities as I go forward in my faith journey. Help me to keep my spiritual eyes peeled for those who want to deceive me and pull me away from Your loving arms. Help me to help others, by always speaking truth to them about Your amazing grace. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
My Only AimRun to WinSetting Aside the Good for the BestDon’t Lose HeartFight the Good FightReflecting on Finishing Well…Not The Year But LifeLook UpPurposed in My HeartA Life of PrayerTo the Left or to the Right Seeking Godly CounselThe Word of the LordReflecting on Looking UpLooking BackGod is FaithfulSpiritual EyesRememberWorthy of PraiseThrough All GenerationsReflecting on Looking BackLook DownMoments of TruthThink It ThroughGod-Centered DecisionsLive Without Regrets Heartbreaking HindsightReflecting on Looking DownLooking ForwardA Solemn WarningSeeking God’s WillLearning What Is Good
February
Nothing Is HiddenAt The CrossroadsReflecting on Looking ForwardOpen Your EyesConsider Your WaysLord, Open Our Eyes!Seeing the UnseenKeeping Our Eyes on JesusTrusting God AloneGod Is With UsReflecting on Open your Eyes The Calling of GodIf it Pleases the KingFollow MeHere Am IFuture BlessingsWhat Do You Want Me To Do?Reflecting On The Calling of GodNot Coming DownWhen Adversity Arrives Focused on the CallingThe Armor of GodThe Voice of OppositionGod’s Glory on DisplayReflecting On Not Coming DownThe Principle of “And”Prayer and PetitionEvaluate and Get StartedPray and FightLiving with PurposeWork and Protect
March
Faith and WorksReflecting on The Principle of “And”Bad Timing is Perfect TimingConsider Your WaysThe Richness of JesusSacrificial GivingThe Willing HeartThe Blessings of ObedienceReflecting on Bad Timing is Perfect TimingLegacySetting a Godly ExampleThe Next GenerationHanding Down FaithfulnessGod’s WisdomTeach Your Children WellReflecting on LegacyEveryone Did Their PartUnited With PurposeStaying the CourseWalk In UnityEmbrace My RoleAm I accountable?Reflecting on Everyone Doing Their PartClarity to PainPraying through the PainThe Throne of GraceCasting Your CaresRedeeming Our PainRestoredReview: Reflecting on Clarity to PainThe Cross Brings Clarity of God’s Love
No Comments