LIFE OF CHRIST - MINISTRY OF WITHDRAWALS

Third Withdrawal

-Challenged By the Pharisees and Sadducees

-Matthew 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-12

-Notice that Matthew specifically includes the Sadducees along with the Pharisees.  Even though these

  two groups were rivals and opposed one another, they were united in their opposition to Jesus.

-Yet again, Jesus is asked to present a sign; in particular, “a sign from heaven”.

            -It seems that these Jewish leaders had turned a blind eye toward the numerous miracles of Jesus.

        Rather than accept these valid proofs of His identity as the Messiah, they asked for an additional sign.

            -Perhaps they were not satisfied by His miracles regarding earthly things and people.  Instead, they

              wanted a “sign from heaven”. 

                        -“Probably they were seeking from him a miracle from the sky, such as the standing still of the

                         sun and moon during the life of Joshua (Josh. 10:12,13), or as the thunder and lightning as on

                         Sinai (Ex. 19:16), and not a sign on the earth, such as his miracles were.  Samuel had caused

                         it to thunder (1 Sam. 12:16-18); Isaiah had caused the shadow to go back ten degrees on the

                         dial of Ahaz (Isa. 38:8); and Moses had sent them manna from heaven.  (Ex. 16:4; John 6:31.) 

                         Probably it was something like this for which they were asking” (Dorris, pg 188).

            -In Matthew 12:38-40, Jesus had already indicated that such a sign, beyond that of Jonah, would not
       be provided.  He reiterated that fact on this occasion. Perhaps these Jewish leaders already had this in

             mind and were simply trying to discredit Jesus in front of the people by asking Him to do something

             that He already said He wouldn’t do.

                        -As a matter of fact, had Jesus provided a sign from heaven, these Jewish leaders probably would

                          held His previous words (regarding no sign to be given) against Him.  Oh, a sinful heart is a

                          pitiful thing!  Knowing their sinful hearts, Jesus sighed deeply.

            -Regardless of their specific approach and intent, their motives were poor and evil.

-These Jewish leaders were able to observe evidences around them and make forecasts regarding the

  weather.  Yet, they failed to recognize the clear evidence that Jesus was the promised Messiah.

            -From the presence of these sinful men, Jesus departed.