Matthew the apostle wrote about Jesus feeding four thousand men plus women and children, and afterward, “he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala”, and in chapter sixteen and verse one of his book, Matthew shares how the “Pharisees and Sadducees” came to Him and “desired” to see “a sign” where we read:
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came,
and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.
The verse reads, “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “the Pharisees” which refers to “the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fasting, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety, they prided themselves on their fancied good works” “also” or “even so and indeed” “with the Sadducees” which means “alongside and accompanying the a religious party at the time of Christ among the Jews who denied that the oral law was a revelation of God to the Israelites, and who deemed the written law alone to be obligatory on the nation, as the divine authority” “came” or “approached went forth”. Matthew shared how both the “Pharisees and Sadducees” who were the religious leaders in that day “came” to Jesus.
The verse goes, “... and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.” Matthew added the words, “and tempting” which means “trying whether a thing can be done, endeavoring, making trial of and testing” “desired him” which means “requested, demanded and addressed Jesus” “that he would show them” or “that Jesus might exhibit, furnish, supply, produce and demonstrate to the Pharisees and Sadducees” “a sign” which means “a miracle, wonder and token” “from heaven” or “out and away from the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Matthew shared how the “Pharisees and the Sadducees” wanted Jesus to perform a heavenly miracle for them.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we may wonder how these religious leaders have not already seen enough “signs” performed by Jesus. They wanted Him to work a miracle before them at their request, and their intention and motives were unrighteous. God desires a truthful and loving relationship with every person, and He wants them to have “faith and trust” in Him personally and not just the miracles He can perform. May all who read these words examine themselves to determine if they are of the same mindset as these religious leaders, and if they are, let them turn from their “sign” seeking ways and worship the true and living God.
Next time we see Matthew share how Jesus said, “When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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