So many questions asked of Jesus. So much to learn from the answers. Let’s take a look at the five questions asked yesterday – and what they reveal to us today.
Q1 – His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you always use these hard-to-understand illustrations?” (Matt. 13:10 TLB)
Then he explained that only they [the disciples] were permitted to understand the Kingdom of Heaven. “For to him who has will more be given,” He told them, “and he will have great plenty; but from him who has not, even the little he has will be taken away. That is why I use these illustrations, so people will hear and see but not understand” (Matt 13:11-13).
God gave the disciples understanding – understanding doesn't come from “enlightenment” or the “age of reason.” God reveals what He wants to reveal to His people. God’s Word cannot be fully understood without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our teacher. We understand what God wants us to understand. Jesus then goes on to quote Isaiah 6:9–10. “This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah:
‘They hear, but don’t understand; they look, but don’t see! For their hearts are fat and heavy, and their ears are dull, and they have closed their eyes in sleep, so they won’t see and hear and understand and turn to God again, and let me heal them.’” (Matt 13:14-15)
Q2 – But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matt. 3:14 NIV)
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (V. 15)
We know Jesus was sinless, so His baptism was not a baptism to wash away His sins – His baptism was both for John and the people. John testified to this in John 1:32–33.
“I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit’” (NIV).
We also see that it was for the people, as God responded with a message for the people, following the baptism in Matthew 3, verse 16.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”
Q3 – “Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. ‘There’s a youngster here with five barley loaves and a couple of fish! But what good is that with all this mob?’” (John 6:9 TLB)
“‘Tell everyone to sit down,’ Jesus ordered. And all of them—the approximate count of the men only was five thousand—sat down on the grassy slopes. Then Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks to God and passed them out to the people. Afterwards he did the same with the fish. And everyone ate until full! ‘Now gather the scraps,’ Jesus told his disciples, ‘so that nothing is wasted.’ And twelve baskets were filled with the leftovers!” (v. 10–12)
This miracle was only possible with the intervention of the supernatural – a sign that Jesus was who He was claiming to be. The response of the witnesses reveals their new understanding. “When the people realized what a great miracle had happened, they exclaimed, ‘Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!’” (John 6:14 TLB)
Q4 – And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” (Matt. 12:23 ESV)
First, an answer came by way of the religious leaders, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons” (v. 24 ESV). They immediately attributed the miracle to Satan, without demonstrating due diligence – a lesson for us all. Jesus immediately addressed their comments.
“A divided kingdom ends in ruin. A city or home divided against itself cannot stand. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting himself and destroying his own kingdom. And if, as you claim, I am casting out demons by invoking the powers of Satan, then what power do your own people use when they cast them out? Let them answer your accusation! But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you” (v. 25–28 TLB).
Too often we explain away the miracles of God, as the Pharisees did. We are to diligently take the time to confirm that they truly are of God.
“Do not scoff at those who prophesy, but test everything that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is, then accept it” (1 Thes. 5:20–21 TLB).
Q5 – And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” (Matt. 12:10 ESV)
The Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus so they could arrest Him, and this was His answer,
“If you had just one sheep, and it fell into a well on the Sabbath, would you work to rescue it that day? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep!” (Matt. 12:11–12 TLB)
Jesus took their tricky question and sent a question right back at them, insinuating that everyone “works” in one way or another on the Sabbath. Jesus again gets to the “heart” of the matter. It’s not always about what you do but about the motivation for what you are doing – what’s in your heart!
I hope you’ve learned something from God’s Word today. Blessings to you all, and “see” you next week for Trivia Tuesday/Wednesday.