It's Friday!!

Good morning! The sun is shining and the weekend is close enough that you can smell it. Enjoy it!


Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Thurs, Jan. 22: When Jesus asks, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” what are the disciples’ answers? Who does Jesus say he is? (Matt 16)
Matthew 16:14 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Matthew 16:16 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

And here's today's question of the day:
Fri, Jan. 23: What did Joseph try to do as Israel was blessing his sons Ephraim and Manasseh? (Gen 48)


And here's the reflection of the day:
Another Kind of Test
Testing seems to be the theme of the week in our readings, doesn't it? But here we find a different kind of test. In this text, the Pharisees and Sadducees "came to Jesus and tested him" (Mt 16:1).

Now, it is proper for God to test us--in order to build up our faith. And the Bible tells us it is proper to test prophets in order to determine if they are true prophets or false prophets.

But, WE are not to put God to the test. Over and over again, the Bible warns us about putting God to the test. You should remember earlier in Matthew reading about Satan tempting Jesus in the desert. Tempting is the same as testing. And in that case, Jesus cites Deut. 6:16, saying, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah."

But no one is to test God. By testing Jesus, the Pharisees and Sadducees are exposing their own lack of faith. Here the Pharisees and Sadducees are taking on the role of Satan; they are acting as an opponent of Jesus. As one commentary I read said they are, "seeking the heavenly ratification of his ministry that would render faith unnecessary" (Matthew, Interpretation, p 183.)

The disciples are warned against sign-seeking like the Pharisees and Sadducees. It seems that seeking a sign is similar to lacking faith, the chapter's theme which is reflected in the disciples' anxiety about not having enough bread. Jesus reminds them of how he has provided in the past, yet they still worry.

Instead of demanding signs, Jesus tells them they must remember. The disciples have seen the evidence for themselves--they have personal experience with God's provision. The disciples must REMEMBER God's provision and let that memory erase their anxieties.

Something for us think about today. . . do we remember God's provision or do our anxieties erase our memories?

Have a splendid day!
Allison