Where is Your Focus?

N.T.#186  "Where is Your Focus?"

Nov. 16, 2023

Matthew 16-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

I have a tendency to focus on the physical rather than the spiritual. Right now, my house is a mess from moving. And that messes me up. However, I am continuing to study the Word and praying God will show me His will for the day. How about you, friend? Where is your focus today?

The Pharisees and Sadducees were so concerned with heavenly signs that they cannot interpret the signs of the times all around them. Jesus referred them to the same sign He gave before, the sign of the prophet Jonah. (12:39) the Ninevites had committed spiritual adultery by being unfaithful to God through idols.  (MacArthur)

When Jesus told them they had the sign of Jonah, who was in the great fish 3 days and 3 nights, He was predicting His death and resurrection. That would be their sign that Jesus is the Messiah. Yet, Jesus knew those men would not believe in Him after His sign.

Jesus said in John 20:29, Those who believe without seeing are blessed. 

Folks, we have the old and New Testaments, over 2,000 years of church history, and witnesses of thousands. Do we need more evidence? Are you waiting for a sign before you believe in Jesus as your Savior? It takes faith, not works, believing that He is who He says He is-Son of the Living God, Messiah, Savior.

LET IT GROW

Jesus left those religious leaders, for they only wanted to argue and nitpick over what was actually a sign from heaven and a sign from earth. So Jesus left them. He and His disciples left Magadan in a boat for Bethsaida. Only the disciples forgot to load enough bread for the trip. Somewhere along the way they unloaded the 7 baskets of bread after feeding the 4,000. while the disciples fretted over bread, Jesus was still thinking about those critics who had a stubborn heart. Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the leaven (sin) of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees, not the leaven of bread. (verses 11-12)

Those men were so concerned with their stomachs that their little faith showed. Jesus was concerned with spiritual things. After all, guys, Jesus could have said the word, and the boat would have been filled with bread until it sunk. Empty stomachs vs. empty souls. Jesus wasn't speaking literally about bread and yeast, but the poisonous corruption of the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. 

don't you know the disciples felt low with their worrying about physical bread instead of those who rejected the Bread of Life. Are you dealing with people who won't accept the Truth? You may need to walk away like Jesus dis, then leave them in God's hands. Pray for them, but don't waste your time arguing. 

Let's not become so preoccupied with physical things that our ears become stopped up and we miss God speaking to us. 

LET IT GO

Help us let go and let You lead us, Jesus.

May we not become dull disciples, but deep disciples. 

Grow our faith, for You are faithful.