The Sign of the Prophet Jonah

Matthew 16:1-4; NKJV

1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 

2 He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red';  

3 and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.  

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed.

Earlier in Jesus' ministry some of the scribes and Pharisees asked Him for a sign.  He referred to them as an "evil and adulterous generation" at that time, but then proceeded to give them some insight into His death, burial and resurrection.  Later in His ministry, He will not elaborate.

Matthew 12:38-40; NKJV

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You."

39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  

40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Learn the lessons of Christ the first time.  When He speaks listen.  Take His word to heart and understand.
 

I Am the Bread of Life

My response to Jesus being "the bread of life" - eat of Him.

Eat – trogo – verb – primarily, "to gnaw, to chew," stresses the slow process; it is used metaphorically of the habit of spiritually feeding upon Christ, John 6:54,56-58 (Vine’s).

Read, study, meditate on the WORD!

For the purpose of…
–Experiencing Him!
–Becoming like Him!

Jesus and the 12

From a worldly wisdom standpoint, Jesus made a number of mistakes when He chose the 12.  By Peter's own admission he was a sinful man.  Matthew made a living cheating his Jewish brethren.  Simon the Zealot longed to kill all the Romans.  Why did He chose these men?

Jesus did not made a mistake when He chose these men.  Despite their mistakes, their blunders, and their sins, they believed He was the Christ.  When He called, they came.  Does it grieve you when you fail Him?  Is it the passion of your heart to be what He wants you to be?  It doesn’t take much of a man to be a Christian, but it takes all of him.


What longsuffering He had! 

Longsuffering – makrothumia –
–Patience with regard to people
–Long-tempered, the opposite of short-tempered
–Quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish
–The opposite of anger
–Associated with mercy (Vine)

Jesus is a longsuffering, merciful, loving Savior!

The Mighty God

The miracles of Jesus served to confirm the word He spoke.

Hebrews 2:1-4; NKJV

—1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

—2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,
—
3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
—
4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

This miracle worker is none other than God Himself...

Isaiah 9:6; NKJV

—For unto us a Child is born,
—Unto us a Son is given;
—And the government will be upon His shoulder.
—And His name will be called
—Wonderful,
—Counselor,
—Mighty God,
—Everlasting Father,
—Prince of Peace.

The Primary Purpose of Jesus' Parables

All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” (MATT 13:34-35; NKJV; see PS 78:2; MK 4:33-34)

The primary purpose of the parables was to “conceal.”   Jesus began speaking in parables because of the hardness of many people's hearts (MATT 13:10-17).  By resorting to parables, Jesus effectively separated the truth-seekers from the curiosity-seekers!  Those seeking the truth would say "Explain to us the parable...“ (MATT 13:36), whereas the curiosity-seekers could easily be sent away.

 Listen to His parables.  Long to understand them.  Look for Him to reveal their meaning to you.

Hidden in My Heart

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17; NKJV)

Certain Women

Luke 8:1-3; NKJV

1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 

2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities — Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 

3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. 

In first-century Jewish culture, women were usually treated as second-class citizens with few of the rights men had.  But Jesus crossed those barriers, and Luke showed the special care Jesus had for women.  Jesus treated all people with equal respect.

Jesus raised women from the slavish position which they held to their true moral dignity and importance and made them equal with men as heirs of salvation.

Appreciation…Acceptable service…Honor and respect for women…true Christlikeness.