Quick Observation from the Word
I’m reading through the book of Matthew presently, and this morning arrived in chapter 14.
Jesus shows up, walking on the water. The disciples figure it’s a ghost and freak out. Jesus tells them who He is. Peter, ever the impulsive, puts Him to the test:
“Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.”
And so Peter got to walk on water.
Turn the page to chapter 16, verses 1-4 – an oft-quoted passage of Heresy Hunters. In this passage, the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus, asking Him for a sign from heaven. He answered, concluding with, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign.”
Interesting – Peter, who had a relationship with Jesus, tested Him by asking Him for a sign. Jesus was abundantly happy to give him a grand one! The P’s&S’s, who did not enjoy a relationship with Jesus, asked Him for a sign, and He chastised them.
It would seem that those who enjoy a relationship with Jesus get to enjoy lots of things that those who lack relationship miss out on – eh?
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“It would seem that those who enjoy a relationship with Jesus get to enjoy lots of things that those who lack relationship miss out on – eh? ”
Like Sam’s Club? If you’re not a member you don’t get a discount.
ROFL – not quite. 🙂
Wow … I never once picked up on that. Thanks! It’s a most excellent point.
Got to hand it to Peter.
How many of us would have
said “command me to come to you”?
This rubs me wrong, Kathi. I’m not a heresy hunter, but at the same time, I’ve never had any charismatic experiences (and was never closed off to them). I know you’re not saying so, but I get the sense that you feel because I don’t prophecy and have visions, and charitably question those that do, that I don’t have a true relationship with the Lord. What do you mean by this?
Well, I wasn’t talking about prophecy per se – I was talking about whether it’s right or wrong to seek after a “sign”.
But should you be experiencing prophecy, visions, miracles? On that I think I need to let the Bible speak for itself, Missy. The more I read, the less I can agree with a “sign-free” lifestyle. I can’t find a single thing in Scripture that suggests that a lack of God moving demonstrably in power (that is, visible to both believers and non-believers) is a Biblical standard.
I don’t mean to offend (please don’t think that of me!) I just read and apply.
If you can find something in the Word that indicates I’m wrong about this, please let me know!
OTOH, Jesus did end up having to rescue Peter in that instance, Kathi! What it boils down to – the central issue – was Peter’s trust (and lack thereof) in Christ, not the water-walking.
Hi there,
iamhealed.net – da best. Keep it going!
Robor
“(that is, visible to both believers and non-believers)”
“Non-believers”….hmmm….now that would be interesting…:)
I agree, the central issue was trust – but – Peter still asked for the opportunity to do so in a big way, and Jesus said, “Come on!”
If Jesus had said, “Peter, don’t be silly – a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after signs. Besides, you don’t need one, you’ve been hanging out with me long enough…” we’d be having a different conversation about the subject 🙂
Yep =
I came to Christ through a series of what can only be termed “Signs, wonders, and miracles” – quite visible to me, a pagan, and everyone around me. Even my witchy friends had to admit that God DID answer that prayer and that it was impossible for it to be circumstances.
Don’t worry Kathi, I figured it wasn’t exactly what you meant–I just wanted to make sure. 😉
I have asked God for signs before; sometimes I have gotten them, and sometimes I’ve not. However, the one thing I can say about the nature of the “signs” I have received is that they have never been particularly visible, especially for those who don’t share my faith. They are relevant and sufficient for me, but it’s always been more along the lines of the “still, small voice” of the Spirit, working either through other people, the Word, or my own heart. (The closest thing I’ve heard of in my crowd of friends that fits “visible” is someone driving by a billboard whose message hit like a cluebat.)
I’m not doubting the validity of visible signs–I’m very much like Thomas sometimes, so I wish I had them, haha–it’s just never really happened to me. *shrug*
Peace. 🙂
“Signs, wonders, and miracles” – tell him to send me some.
Dave, why don’t you have a long talk with Him about it? 🙂
“Dave, why don’t you have a long talk with Him about it?”
What’s the old saying? It takes two to tango? If you knock on the door/ring the doorbell and no one answers, eventually you come to the conclusion that nobody’s home….
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