(Mark 8:11-13)
11 And the Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. 12 Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation!” 13 And leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side.TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:
Here was God in flesh Himself, performing miracles - as a "sign" - to prove His authority here on earth. AND a whole bunch of "signs" had already occurred and were occurring right in front of them, which were fulfilling prophecies of the (Old Testament) scriptures. For instance: Jesus just being here in flesh, born of a virgin, born in Bethlehem, having fled to Egypt and returning to Israel, living in Nazareth in the region of Galilee, knowing what people were thinking, and (while "uneducated") teaching the people with great knowledge and wisdom and in parables...
Yet, the Pharisees weren't even asking Jesus to do some magic trick to wow them for their own entertainment, they were only seeking for an excuse to execute Him. Just like Jesus "couldn't do much healing" in His own homeland because of people's unbelief, the Pharisee's unbelief prevented them from seeing the sign/s that were right in front of them.
While God will do amazing good and nice things for unbelievers to get their attention so that they might believe in Him, the Lord is very clear in that when we have faith, He will do mighty things for us, with us, in us, and through us. Because He desires to have a close, personal love relationship with us, and our Christianity is ALL about having a close, personal love relationship with the Lord Jesus, it is only in this that we can truly experience and appreciate His presence and blessings!
Someone once tried arguing with me that this was proof that God didn't actually love everyone, and that somehow God was prejudiced - because He would only reward those who did things which He deemed "good enough", and did not allow everyone into heaven just as they are. Well, Jesus died for all people, whether they accept Him or reject Him. THAT is agape, sacrificial, unconditional love. And true love does not force anyone to love back, and does not force anyone to obey. Yet in grace, those who accept Him, He will never let us go. And only the things we do in His agape love, guidance, strength - and - all to His glory - will be rewarded.
There's nothing super special about any of us in that way, except that we have willing hearts. It is all God's handiwork! It is all about God! It is all about having a relationship with God! Because He loves us, and wants to do life with us! And when someone goes to God just as they are and repents to receive the Lord's forgiveness, we ALSO receive His indwelling Holy Spirit who changes us from the inside out. THAT IS - a huge sign - proof in our lives of just how much He cares!!!
