More testing
by Ruth Olsen
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They understood that Jesus was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:12).
Read Matthew 16:1–12
A good purpose of a test is to help us recognise what we know and what we need to learn. Neither seems to be the motivation nor intention of the Pharisees and Sadducees. One would think they had heard of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000 (men, not counting women and children). Weren’t those activities ‘signs’? But now they ask Jesus for a sign from heaven – something that can’t be disputed.
Growing up on a farm, one learns to read the sky even if one wrongly interprets it. Likewise, as with any survey or interview, the questions asked can determine what is shared, whether it is superficial or goes deeper. The motive behind the question here is wrong and does not arise from faith in God. The ‘sign of Jonah’ seems a mysterious sign from history, not from heaven or the sky, which Jesus doesn’t elaborate on here (see Matthew 12:39,40).
But the disciples were still puzzled. Having forgotten to take some bread with them for lunch, they think that’s what Jesus is hinting at. Maybe the disciples had not processed the feeding of the multitudes. Those lessons weren’t only about physical bread. Indeed, Jesus has taught us to ask for our daily bread, for whatever is needed to sustain life. We need physical food! But physical food cannot meet our deeper needs. That can take a long time to learn!
Jesus looks beyond the surface to deeper things. Only by trusting him and his many promises, in taking him at his word, can our deeper needs be met in a way that only he can do. Sometimes, we need situations of testing to help us recognise where we are looking for help. It can also take times of waiting patiently before the answers come through. So, it’s an opportunity to grow in patience and to rest in trusting our Heavenly Father, who is at work to provide for all our needs.
Father, we thank you for our daily bread. With deeper needs, we ask you to meet us in that place of need. Thank you!
Ruth lives in Adelaide with Steen, her husband of more than 50 years. Her autoimmune disorder is now under control, although kidney dialysis is currently a requirement three times a week. That swallows much time, yet the Lord is with her in the challenges. He is always faithful!
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