Read Matthew 16:1-12 and then answer the following questions:
1. What evidence do we have that the leaders who came to Jesus were not sincere in their question? After all, what is wrong with having a sign from heaven? Is the Bible not full of signs from heaven? What point should we as disciples take from what is happening here? See earlier chapters in Matt.; see also Luke 16:29-31.
The disciples had witnessed miracle after miracle, but they were still filled with unbelief. The leaders who came to Jesus perhaps would have done the same if Jesus would have shown them a "sign from heaven." Would we do likewise?
2. Look carefully at Jesus' words to the Sadducees and the Pharisees. What is the principle behind the specific warning to them (Matt. 23:23)?
I believe the principle is not to trust in your own good deeds, but allow the Holy Spirit to dictate your actions. The Sadducees and Pharisees did not trust in the amazing grace that Jesus grants us, so they were not willing to admit that they were lacking and broken. They considered themselves to be just fine. Jesus pointed them towards their need for deliverance. (Alastair)
3. Read Jesus' words to the disciples in Matthew 16: 8-11. What point is Jesus making to them? Why do we find it so easy to do the same thing, that is, to forget the great things God has done before our eyes?
As I stated in a previous post, we have short memories. God brings us out of the gutter over and over again, but we still do not fully trust or obey his words. If we would only trust Him, I know that everything would turn out right. (Alastair)
What a contrast between the Bread of Life and the leaven of the Sadducees and the Pharisees, and yet how easy to get them confused. All disciples of Christ need to be aware that belief, or following traditions, or defending the faith are not always the same as being a disciple of Christ. How easy, once we get established, even comfortable, in what we believe, or in how we worship, or in how we practice our faith, to let these things become ends in and of themselves, instead of a means to an end. That end, of course, is to be a faithful disciple of Christ, doing His will and revealing His love and His character to the world.
