You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but

“and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” (Matthew 16:3)

 

Modern people are much smarter than in the past due to the development of science. To look with the eyes of adults, it seems to be children these days have much more talents than themselves. Computers, the internet and smartphones made the social atmosphere like that. But that doesn’t mean young people are wholly better than adults in every way. For the development of scientific civilization is not be proportional to the spiritual act of good and evil. In fact conversely, while the level of civilization rises, the quantity of evil deeds increases rather. By Pharisees and Sadducees’ testing Jesus and requesting to show Him the signs of the sky, they as the learned men revealed themselves the ignorance of spirituality.

 

Pharisees among the Jews were the learned in the law and ritual of Judaism. If present days, they’re the leaders who know well the social science and taking a view importantly of living order and norms. The name of Sadducee would be originated from the name of Zadok the priest in David’s times, and they were a group of political priests which had led Sanhedrin the Jewish courts. The Sadducees had ideas that did not recognize resurrection, eternity, angels, or spirits.

The Pharisees and the Sadducees of Jesus’ time are almost same people of classes to the leaders of today’s religious, political and social fields. What they have in common is that they have studied a lot, they are smart people, and they exercise power in the general community and religious societies. Those people tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. They didn’t ask Jesus to show it in the pure intention. For they wouldn’t have expected to see it because they don’t believe the things like a sign from heaven. To ask with impure intentions is not a legitimate attitude and a right way to solve a problem. It is cowardly to treat people with sarcasm or to ask questions with impure intentions without trustful mind. How can God, who looks at the center of the inner, not know whether the human heart is true or lie?

Jesus wholly looked inside their mind. Today’s young people who regard they are better than adults behavior foolishly to ignore what the adults say. Those don’t even try to listen to adult instructions. When parents happen to ask their children something about using a computer or a smartphone, the children may show a reaction to ignore the adults as if they are annoying. Then there would be many cases where the parents give up and just endure the inconvenience because they feel uncomfortable asking again. Such a young man or child cannot be recognized by God the Lord. For respecting and helping adults and parents is a right attitude by faith in Jesus the Spirit.

If the sky is red in the evening, the weather will be fine tomorrow. But if the sky is red and cloudy in the morning, the weather the day will not be fine. This is a reasonable explanation about weather conditions, which says natural facts by science. There is almost not many people who are not smart these days than the past. If they have any questions or unsure something about, they can find out the answer right away through smartphone in the hand. In the past, we had to go to the library and spend a lot of time trying to figure out what we do not know, but now it’s simple and very easy for anybody to find out what the answers are. Unfortunately the Pharisees and Sadducees had not the spiritual understanding to grasp what the signs of the times is.

Jesus answered the Pharisees and the Sadducees, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Here Jesus’ words, “A wicked and adulterous generation” toward them need to be understood first importantly for us. Because they had requested a sign to Jesus by their secular concern. It would be fine if they had wanted a right one, but they expected to fill any selfish desires of themselves through Jesus. They didn’t know really Jesus who He is. Therefore, they were no choice but to be people of spirits with foolish and unhappy lives. Some people with wrong faith today expect to get something unjust of profit in the name of Jesus. And the certain try to make money even through the name the clergy.

 

The only essence Jesus shows is Jonah’s miracle. Just as Jonah had spent three days in the stomach of a big fish, Jesus was revived out of death in three days, as the written in Matthew 12:40. And the Resurrection means a miraculous reality that removes out the original sin and gives a new life. That is the complete sign originated from the grace of God to give eternal life of salvation to man. With this belief, we can enjoy eternal peace and happiness. In the end, let’s live in experiencing Jonah’s miracle in life not only to interpret the appearance of sky.

 

(Written by Koonoh, Pastor of JDO Presbyterian Church in Korea, on Sep 27th 2020)