March 24, 2012 "If You're Real, Lord"

“If You’re Real, Lord!”

Mark 8:10-13 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha. 11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it." 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

DID YOU ever try to bargain with God? You know the deal: “If you’re real, Jesus, you’ll heal blindness. You’ll cure my wife’s cancer. You’ll fix my finances, Jesus. Just do this one thing, and I’ll believe in you. I’ll even go to church once…or twice.”
What’s wrong with that? What’s wrong with the Pharisees testing Jesus and asking for a “sign from heaven”? Glad you asked.
The truth is, the Pharisees have no intention of turning their faith to Jesus regardless of what he does. They are there to “test” God. God does not allow you to test him. He is not a butler waiting for you to ring his bell. God alone is God. A “faith” based on one response from God is no faith. God cannot possibly function as the Sovereign Lord, if he has to prove himself to you.
It’s easy isn’t it, to want the Lord to show up in just the way you desire? God calls you, though, to trust him to offer to you—even blindness, illness or difficult times—for His good purposes to save the world from Hell.
The cross and the empty tomb are the only signs you need to know from Jesus. Receive them and be saved.

Pause and consider the signs of life Jesus offers to you.