Matthew 16:1-19 ~ Sign

 

Matthew 16:1-19

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 

2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 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. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”

So He left them and departed.

 5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 

7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 

8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah!

 For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock [the Greek words for Peter and rock sound similar ] I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

You have to love Jesus. The Scripture point ed out, Mark 1 has everything Jesus does happening rapidly. The words immediately, directly, all at once - all words of Jesus' power.

Jesus IS the Son of God. 

The men writing the Scripture - Are - directed by the Holy Spirit. 

Many times the way the paragraphs and the sentences, the Scriptures are written, convey a greater meaning. I've been advised - don't put in a whole Chapter - it's too long - it won't hold the reader's attention. Yes and No. One, we are here to worship and love the Lord. Two, every single word of the Lord has meaning. Even when we look at different versions, and different languages - God's meaning is powerful.

So..... today. Jesus is laughing at the Pharisees. A sign. A sign. A sign. One? No. Not one sign. Multitudes. Pharisees, behold the deaf hear, the blind see .... and..... the Pharisees remain unconvinced... enough to pry their fingers off of their positions of influence and power.

Notice how these paragraphs of God's Word are put together. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Yes, God's word is amazing. Jesus skirmishes with the religious (not relationship) and takes His followers to Caesarea. Caesarea - why - this is the power the Temple of God's Pharisees are resting on. 'King' Herod is not from David's line and Judea is a Roman/client/puppet state. Caesarea is Caesar's city and Herod is appointing the Priests of the Temple.

Jesus takes His followers to "Rome" to tell them: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

No other organization, Empire, has 2,000 years.... except God.

Here is the Royal Stoa - Herod built this public building - was used for the purchase, sale of animals for sacrifices, and exchanging coins for Tyrian half-sheckels which were regularly paid by pilgrims as tax for the Temple upkeep. Not the building Jesus used for teaching - but where Jesus would have gone to throw over the tables. Jesus said den of thieves as He threw the tables over.

Okay, pulling up the picture of the Royal Stoa and an archaeological fragment of it...



Fragment left by the 70 AD destruction by later Emperor Titus. 70 AD would have been Jesus' natural lifespan.



So, today's passage has Jesus telling His followers in Caesarea about the coming Church. Jesus' Church. The Rock. In Caesarea.

Here is a picture of the first St. Peter's Basilica built by Emperor Constantine from 326 -333 AD. It was of typical basilica architecture. Romans were famous for the architecture. Domes, Arches, Concrete, Columns - there were many forms this building could have taken. Typical basilica (basilica - Roman public building) architecture was the Royal Stoa beside the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem. Herod had built a Roman basilica on the 36 acres of the Temple. 103.6 metres (340 ft) Emperor Constantine (who naively believed Christian citizens would be more controllable) built a very similar basilica upon Peter's tomb:


"There are no coincidences, just works of God."

Jesus saw His Church would overcome the gates of hell, He saw it would be overcome Roman Empire authority. Think of all the criticisms of the Church. How many times men have used God's Church for their own power. God's Christian Church is sometimes the Pharisees Jesus spoke against. And before we are all worked up over the inadequacies of the Church, let's remember this is Scripture for us... today.

Who were the Pharisees? They were the people who valued their image more than they valued a relationship with God's Son. They are... me.... and you.

John 2:24-25

But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Jesus, ultimately, did entrust His life to God and gave that life for you. He knows what is in the heart of mankind. He knows about the Popes who didn't give grace and mercy. He knows about the crusades to burn people into loving the Lord. He know the priests who gave such pain to people trying to follow Jesus. He knows you and your heart. Your gifts and your sins.

Luke 13:34

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Abba, Father,

Father God, each day, let me walk with You. 

Let the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth, 

be pleasing to You. 

My Rock and my Redeemer. 

In the Blessing 

You gave Your Beloved:

Bless those I love

and Keep them

Let Your Face to Shine upon us

and Be Gracious to us, please.

Lift Your Countenance and Smile

Give us Your Peace

and Cover us 

in 

The Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

The Lord!

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus 

John 6:16-24 ~ Immediately

John 6:16-24

 When evening came, His disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. 

By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 

18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 

20 But He said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”

21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.

24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

Which part should we start with?

Jesus has no trouble walking on water when the waters were rough. The Sea of Galilee is prone to sudden rough seas brought on like a wind sheer phenomena caused when cool air off the West mountains falls down into the Jordan river flowing into the Sea of Galilee. Hot air trapped around the lake rises suddenly and the waters become very turbulent inhibiting westward travel over the water. 

The severity and suddenness of these storms are compared to an earthquake storm. I'm guessing Jesus is really not using the water as a foot path. God healed the widow of Nain's son - with His Word. The Word of God is Living and Active. Something for this generation to think of - how Jesus walked on Stormy Ocean. In the dark.

 immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading


Einstein's Theory of Relativity - Space Travel - Warp factor ~ Tells us about the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Dimensions melt. Theory for some - Word of God for Jesus.

Ephesians 4 tells us of the Company the Son of God maintains -

Ephesians 4:10

He who descended 

is the one who also ascended

 far above all the heavens, 

that He might fill all things.

"God knows" something about the Universe. And "God knows" something about Science.

2 Peter 3:8

Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: 

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,

 and a thousand years are like a day.

Isaiah 40:26

Lift up your eyes on high and see: 

Who created these? 

He who brings out their host by number, 

calling them all by name, 

by the greatness of His might, 

and because He is strong in power 

not one is missing.

More of the excellency of God's Very Word.

Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus 

nor his disciples were there, 

they got into the boats 

and went to Capernaum 

in search of Jesus.

In search of Jesus?

Jesus of the Gospels and Jeremiah must know each other. They speak alike, and David and Isaiah both knew Father God named the stars.

Jeremiah 24:7

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.

 They will be my people, 

and I will be their God, 

for they will return to me 

with all their heart.

In Jesus, we have access and confidence, we can go to real, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Ephesians 3

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 

15 from whom 

every family in heaven and on earth

is named.

Jesus Christ will dwell in our hearts.

Colossians 2:6,7

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord,

so walk in Him,

having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him

 and established in your faith, 

just as you were instructed, 

and overflowing with gratitude.

Abba, Father,

Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His Name. Jesus.

Psalm 145

One generation shall praise Your works to another, 

And shall declare Your mighty acts. 

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty

 And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. 

Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts

 And I will tell of Your greatness.

Our Father God is God of ALL Things,

Ancient of Days,

A Wellspring,

Living Water.

We in confidence and jubilation lift up our Loved Ones 

and their care to You.

The People You have given us shall know Our God Reigns.

We ask this Nation Rise up in the Name of Jesus 

for His Glory and our Hope.

We pray of the Goodness of His Creation 

to Proclaim the Love of Jesus and His Saving Mercy.

And we shall know the Greatest of All of God's Miracles 

- The Salvation of Jesus - 

And we proclaim 

Thank You for Jesus. 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus 

Isaiah 6 ~ I saw The Lord

 

The Prophet Isaiah Meets the LORD and Recognizes His Holiness, painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

Isaiah 6

In the year that King Uzziah died

 I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, 

high and lifted up; 

and the train of His Robe 

filled the temple. 

2 Above Him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 

3 And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of Him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 

5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen 

The King, The Lord of Hosts!”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” 

Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” 

9 And He said, “Go, and say to this people:

“‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
10 Make the heart of this people dull,
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”

11 Then I said, “How long, O Lord?”

And He said:
“Until cities lie waste
without inhabitant,
and houses without people,
and the land is a desolate waste,
12 and the Lord removes people far away,
and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.
13 And though a tenth remains in the land,
    it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
    leave stumps when they are cut down,
    so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”

I love words. Just to say the Word 'Isaiah', is to be uplifted.

Prophets.
Prophets approach this calling in various ways. Rarely, in fact, never do we see a Prophet approach the Lord God, Most Holy, with such beauty.

Nathan was creative. Samuel was known to be afraid and complain. Jonah didn't love. Jeremiah said he was but a youth. Abraham thought God meant for him to be the problem solver. Moses was rash. Jacob had flaws. Gad thundered. And Isaiah, the sixth chapter, tells us we are in the presence of Holiness. 

Which frankly, puts me in awe.

Can you picture seeing God's Holy Robe filling the Temple, almost the way the cloud of Heaven filled the Temple during Solomon's opening of His Temple.

Isaiah has received the calling to work great works of HIM.  

King Hezzekiah is most blessed to understand the vision of God and has ears to his own soul, listening to Isaiah tell him of Father God. No other reign but Solomon's was blessed with such prosperity. Reflected in archeology today, we can visit Jerusalem and see the mighty works of Hezekiah, with the people of God, working God's Plan. 

Isaiah is further blessed, to be the Prophet who hears the most of Jesus Christ the Lord. 

Seven hundred years before Jesus chooses to live among us. 

Isaiah saw His Robe fill the Temple.

John 20:29

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

We are still, today, this generation, in the power of faith.

Matthew 4:4

But He answered and said, 

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word 

that proceedeth 

out of the mouth of God.

The woman touched the hem of Jesus' garment in Luke 8:44. The Greek word for "edge" is "kraspedon" meaning "fringe". The complex knots of Jesus' robe spell the word "Yahweh".

We come from a prodigal son generation, yet when we seek Him with our hearts - He runs to us. We see Isaiah end with the reseeding of faith. In this generation, we see Asian Christians and African Christians boldly carry back their early Church Acts faith to us.

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest

Mark 10:32

They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, 

and Jesus was walking ahead of them. 

The disciples were filled with awe

Abba, Father,

Father God, each day, let me walk with You. 

Let the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth, 

be pleasing to You. 

My Rock and my Redeemer. 

In the Blessing You gave Your Beloved:

Bless those I love

and Keep them

Let Your Face to Shine upon us

and Be Gracious to us, please.

Lift Your Countenance and Smile

Give us Your Peace

and Cover us 

in 

The Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

The Lord!

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †