Mark wrote how Jesus and His disciples “came into the parts of Dalmanutha”, and in chapter eight and verse eleven of his book, Mark wrote how the Pharisees came to question Jesus again where we read:
And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him,
seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
The verse reads, “And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, ...” Mark began with the words, “and the Pharisees” which means “and 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” “came forth” or “approached and appeared”, “and began to question” which means “and initiated, made a beginning and started to inquire seek examination” “with him” or “with Jesus”. Mark shared how the sect known as “the Pharisees” began to ask Jesus questions again.
The verse goes on to say, “...seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.” Mark continued with the word, “seeking” which means “requiring, demanding and craving” “of him” or “from Jesus” “a sign” which means “a mark, indication or token” “from heaven” or “from the region above the sidereal heavens where the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”, “tempting him” which means “attempting and endeavoring to make trial of, test and prove Jesus”. Mark shared how the Pharisees intent was to “test” Jesus' faith, virtue and character.
When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see once again how malicious these persistent Pharisees were. No matter how many times He answered them correctly, they attempted to “prove” He wasn't anyone special or inordinate. In fact, they desired to “discredit” Jesus so no one would follow Him. God's desire is to have every person “believe and trust” in His Son Jesus so they may have a personal relationship with Him and inherit everlasting life, and those who are wise will yield their lives to Him rather than “proudly and boastfully” challenge who His is.
Next time Mark shares how Jesus tell the Pharisees, “there shall no sign be given unto this generation”, 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
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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