Mark
8:11-13
He sighed deeply in his
spirit and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I
tell you, no sign will be given to this
generation.”
(Mark 8:12)
Jesus was asked again and again to prove himself. The blind were given sight, the deaf their
hearing, the lame walked, and the dead brought back to life…but it wasn’t
enough. Still, there were skeptics and
perhaps others who simply wanted to be entertained. When Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, Herod was
delighted because he wanted Jesus to do some miracle before him, as if Jesus was
a carnival performer whose purpose was simply to entertain. When Jesus refused,
Herod mocked him and sent him back to
Pilate.
The Pharisees in today’s text wanted a sign. They, like
Herod, weren’t really interested in a change of life Jesus might bring, only the
miracle of the moment. Reminiscent of
the skepticism and contempt of his hometown where Jesus could do no great work,
the hearts of these religious leaders were closed to what Jesus could have
brought to their lives.
We still look for signs, for ways in which Jesus can be
proven to us. The absence of a sign should not weaken our faith, however. “Blessed,” Jesus said, “are those who have
not seen, and yet, believe.”
Prayer: May I trust you Lord, by faith, and not by sight.
Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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