Humility Accepts the Truth

Matthew 12:38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.”

WE have a tendency to find ways to reject help, don’t we? An experienced parent may offer to help you stop a harmful habit. Possibly someone will teach you how to raise better crops, use money wisely or care for your home. Good teaching moments help to improve circumstances if one truly receives the help.

Our human response, rooted in the original sin, is ready to reject advice. We may dismiss helpful wisdom, even if our habits harm our bodies, our relationships or our faith in God. To change what we do means we must first admit to our faults. Such admission requires humility and submission – traits that make us very uncomfortable.

The prideful religious authorities needed humility and submission to the Lord of Hosts. They rejected Jesus because of their firmly entrenched beliefs. Change would mean releasing and transforming their restrictive traditions, their habits and their theology. Instead, they clung tightly to their self-righteousness and refused to surrender to God's truth. Their hearts were not ready to trust in the LORD with all (their) heart and lean not on (their) own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Instead, the unmoved leaders demanded, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.”

This is a common response to God. Many people have said, “Do this, and I’ll believe you.” Such an attitude is exalting our own purpose above God’s will. The authorities’ purpose was not to find a reason to believe in Jesus but to find a reason to reject him.

But Jesus rejected them. That’s what God does when we do not humbly submit to his authority. Jesus’ purpose wasn’t to come and do miracles on command from the world. His miracles were Heaven’s provisions for particular people as examples of God’s mercy.

Jesus knew that unbelief is never satisfied. Those who reject the truth will always ask for one more sign. There is no satisfying the prideful unrepentant sinner. As we continue we’ll see Jesus is very angry with his people.

Who authors your life – your own mind or the Holy God?

Jesus Teaches: Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.