The Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign
by Trevor Davies
In the above reading Jesus was very scathing in the way he answered the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious leaders of the day. This is because they could tell what the weather was going to be the next day, by looking at the signs in the sky, but they didn’t know the signs that were in their own Scriptures, pointing to who He was (their Messiah). They of all people should have known who He was. There were over three hundred prophecies in their Scriptures pointing to Him; yet they still refused to recognise Him as their Messiah.
Today we’re living in turbulent days, with much violence and darkness spreading over the face of the earth. Leaders of the nations are seemingly at a loss to know what to do, and people’s hearts are growing cold to the ways of God. Lawlessness is everywhere.
What impacts us even more is that these things are brought right into our homes via the news media, i.e. TV, radio, and Internet. But, as believers, we shouldn’t be alarmed or fearful by what we hear and see happening all around us, didn’t the Lord Himself warn us that these things would happen.
In Matthew 24 and Luke 21 Jesus talks about the end days. In these days, one of the most important things we must remember is that the Lord is in complete control. Nothing phases him or takes Him by surprise. ‘He who sits in Heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision’ (Psalm 2:2).
The Lord exhorts us to be aware of the signs of the times, not to be distracted by the things of this world, and to keep our eyes on Him. We must stay alert, guarding against spiritual lethargy, always watching and praying, so we’re ready for when He returns. For no one knows when that day will be. Jesus said ‘Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption draws near’ (Luke 21:28).
Prayer: Dear Father, when we look around at what’s happening in our world today, it’s so easy to become fearful. Help me to remember that You warned us that these things would happen, and to keep my eyes firmly fixed on You. For You’re our rock, a sure foundation in times of trouble. Amen.
Trevor Davies and his wife, Margaret, have recently left the Ellel Scotland team having been there for over 9 years. Before that they were living in Israel, where they met and were married. Before going to Israel Trevor worked for a machine tool, engineering company in his home town of Colchester.
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