Following Jesus Pt. V

#Discipleship #BasicsOfFaith #Christianity #ChristAlone

Have you ever stopped to wonder what the world would look like if people were genuinely content? What would it do to our society if we would be content with hat we have? How different would relationships be if, instead of seeking a thrill at every chance, people would seek enjoyment in the little things? What would be the outcome of a world wherein matters of faith we could accept simple truths and not be bogged down in our insatiable quest for something more?

Following Jesus requires just that—a simple acceptance of his life, teachings, his death by crucifixion, his burial and resurrection. The truth is, however, if you have been alive long enough, there is a simple reality about humanity. We cannot seem to appreciate the small things of life for seeking something better all the time. This is evident in the way people engaged with Jesus as a result of his teaching and healing ministry.

“The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, ‘When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.’ And He left them and went away.” (Matthew 16:1-4, NASB)

Jesus is questioned and sought to indicate what people want to hear, but He provides the opposite response of whatever everyone else expects. Not unlike today, people desire to have a savior that will act as a king from this world. Others want Jesus to be a personal genie, which focuses on delivering every whim present in a person’s life. Jesus provides an answer that frames the simple yet challenging to accept the truth about following Him.

Jesus is quoted to say, “no signs will be given it, except the sign of Jonah” (v.4). Jesus both affirms and denies the request the religious leaders and those around him are seeking. Jesus, the Son of God, is not one to perform parlor tricks as some would like him to act. Who would not want to see a person with paralysis healed, a deaf individual receiving hearing back, an individual with deformities be fully healed and made whole? Even better, who would not love to see the resurrection of the dead? The focus here is that Jesus is the King of a kingdom that does not belong to the world. His rule and authority is not one that is for self-aggrandizing but to honor God and to lead people to salvation.

Dear Reader, I invite you to consider that we have an invitation to be content on the simple truths of Scripture, without building a circus around it to invite others into a thriving relationship with the one who can save humanity from the hefty wage of sin. May you be content in the presence of the Son of God, as you relish his life, ministry, death on the cross, and His resurrection. May you be content to observe the two most readily available miracles today. First, the resurrected Jesus Christ; second, the transformed lives of formerly lost sinners whose lives are transformed by the resurrected Savior.