Mark My Words

I've always found it a bit puzzling that in the Gospels Jesus tells His disciples what is coming and they are still surprised when it happens. There are multiple instances of Jesus predicting His death and resurrection and yet His followers react in stunned panic when it actually occurs. I know that I have the benefit of reading the entire story, but I do often wonder why no one commented on His words coming true.

I guess that's because it's much easier to see the truth of something when you already know the outcome. When we are in the moment, there are times when we don't understand what God is saying either. He can be direct & to the point and we still search for hidden meaning instead of acting on the truth He is trying to tell us. 

Why is that? I think the most honest answer is that it's just not what we want to hear. It's too uncomfortable for us, an area of sin we don't want to confront, a risk of faith we aren't ready to take, a step of obedience we don't want to follow through on, or perhaps it just seems overwhelming. 

Ignoring God's message doesn't negate its value nor does it remove our responsibility to act on it. He'll just keep telling us through prayer, the Word, and other people and leave the decision of obedience up to us.

Sign of the Times

In Mark 8, Jesus has just performed another miracle and fed 4,000 people with seven loaves and a few fish. This is the second time that He has taken what was available and turned it into enough to benefit the people there to experience Him. The interesting thing is that right after this, the Pharisees come to Him and ask for a miraculous sign of power. He chastises them and tells them that there will be no signs for this generation even though He had just performed a miracle. He obviously didn't contradict Himself or deceive them so there must be some other explanation.

I think what Christ is saying is that the motivation of the person seeking Him is key. If we are simply out for selfish gain then it doesn't matter what happens--no sign/miracle/wondrous event will increase our commitment to Him. It is only when the driving factor behind our search for Christ is simply to know Him more that we can be blessed. Our belief triggers a genuine passion for Christ's deliverance instead of sitting and waiting for God to impress us before we jump in.