Get Real November 23 Devotional
November 23, 2024
MATTHEW 16:1-4
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.
In this incident, a group comprised of both Pharisees and Sadducees come to “test” Jesus. The Pharisees and Sadducees opposed one another on many things, yet here they have joined together. The word here for ”test” was last used when Jesus encountered Satan in the wilderness in Matthew 4. Moreover, the Pharisees have already made this demand in Matthew 12:38. Taken together, these facts would seem to show that this request is insincere and badly motivated. These groups are out to discredit Jesus and are not genuinely open to authenticating him.
Today, we call this a bias, an attitude that colors perception and predetermines value judgements.
PRAYER
Gracious God, Reveal to me areas where I have biases that impact the way I see others and the way I interpret your Word. Clarify my vision and open my heart to your activity around me. Help me to affirm what is good and resist what is evil. Amen.
