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"He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it." – Mark 8:12
Prove It! Prove that Jesus Christ walked the earth.
Continuously, generation after generation, there are those that cannot or refuse to grasp the fact that God came to the world as a man and walked amongst us. It is not new, this feeling of disbelief without proof, for it is centered around man’s fundamental weakness of free choice. You see, I’ve never seen Abraham Lincoln or George Washington. Have you? The history books, and artists have painted portraits of these great men of history, but CNN wasn’t there to report on it, neither was FoxNews, the BBC or the Discovery Channel. We’ve come to trust that they indeed were real because their claims to fame are within reason for a man.
Both were leaders, educated and strong in character. Both took on enormous challenges and through judicious acts and sound principals changed the course of American history. There are clear records of their lives documented in history books and memoirs that are taught in Elementary Schools all across America. We honor them with Holidays and song and our children act out plays in school about their lives. Why is it so easy to read and believe that these men lived, yet many have such a hard time believing in Jesus Christ?
Simply put, it comes down to the grandeur of His claim. In that day, 2 millennia ago, people were looking for a Messiah. The Lord had been quiet for over 400 years, since last sending a message, through a prophet, to the children of Israel. Their faith was made strong by holding true to the teachings of Moses, Abraham and David; past on from generation to generation. Many had come and gone, claiming to be the Messiah, and attempting to lead rebellions against the government on behalf of God’s children. When Jesus came upon the scene, not seeking the fame and glory or recognition, but performing miracles and healing people it drew attention.
The natural reaction of the studied teachers and priests of the day would be to want proof of His divinity before committing to Him. Therein lies the problem. If they were not able to see and understand the presence of God in their midst, than their eyes were blind to Him and their hearts were hardened to His love. For Jesus to acknowledge their request and prove through works that He indeed was the Messiah would have taken the glory away from God the Father and put the spotlight on Him. Just as He told Satan in the Matthew 4:7, “"It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" He refuses to do miraculous works to prove His divinity to the blind. He asks that we believe by faith, not by sight. There would come a time when He would be taken back to the Father and He did not want His ways to be abandoned after His death and resurrection.
So here we are 2000 years later asking the same questions as the Pharisees did in Jerusalem in that day. “Just show us a miracle, and we will believe.” Blessed is he who believes and has not seen. (John 20:29) It takes something beyond the natural thoughts and desire of mankind to recognize and give authority to someone who is not physically present. Trusting in God the Father requires this humbling of one’s heart and mind to serve the unseen. Praise be to the Father.
Continuously, generation after generation, there are those that cannot or refuse to grasp the fact that God came to the world as a man and walked amongst us. It is not new, this feeling of disbelief without proof, for it is centered around man’s fundamental weakness of free choice. You see, I’ve never seen Abraham Lincoln or George Washington. Have you? The history books, and artists have painted portraits of these great men of history, but CNN wasn’t there to report on it, neither was FoxNews, the BBC or the Discovery Channel. We’ve come to trust that they indeed were real because their claims to fame are within reason for a man.
Both were leaders, educated and strong in character. Both took on enormous challenges and through judicious acts and sound principals changed the course of American history. There are clear records of their lives documented in history books and memoirs that are taught in Elementary Schools all across America. We honor them with Holidays and song and our children act out plays in school about their lives. Why is it so easy to read and believe that these men lived, yet many have such a hard time believing in Jesus Christ?
Simply put, it comes down to the grandeur of His claim. In that day, 2 millennia ago, people were looking for a Messiah. The Lord had been quiet for over 400 years, since last sending a message, through a prophet, to the children of Israel. Their faith was made strong by holding true to the teachings of Moses, Abraham and David; past on from generation to generation. Many had come and gone, claiming to be the Messiah, and attempting to lead rebellions against the government on behalf of God’s children. When Jesus came upon the scene, not seeking the fame and glory or recognition, but performing miracles and healing people it drew attention.
The natural reaction of the studied teachers and priests of the day would be to want proof of His divinity before committing to Him. Therein lies the problem. If they were not able to see and understand the presence of God in their midst, than their eyes were blind to Him and their hearts were hardened to His love. For Jesus to acknowledge their request and prove through works that He indeed was the Messiah would have taken the glory away from God the Father and put the spotlight on Him. Just as He told Satan in the Matthew 4:7, “"It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" He refuses to do miraculous works to prove His divinity to the blind. He asks that we believe by faith, not by sight. There would come a time when He would be taken back to the Father and He did not want His ways to be abandoned after His death and resurrection.
So here we are 2000 years later asking the same questions as the Pharisees did in Jerusalem in that day. “Just show us a miracle, and we will believe.” Blessed is he who believes and has not seen. (John 20:29) It takes something beyond the natural thoughts and desire of mankind to recognize and give authority to someone who is not physically present. Trusting in God the Father requires this humbling of one’s heart and mind to serve the unseen. Praise be to the Father.
© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For additional Daily Thoughts, please visit: http://www.10minutereader.com
For additional Daily Thoughts, please visit: http://www.10minutereader.com
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