May 16

Text: Matthew 16:2-4

 "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.'  And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them, and went away. (NASB)

We at times speak of people “who do not see the obvious.”  They would not recognize a reality if it was directly in front of them.  Often, such people deliberately ignore by preference.  They seem to conclude that ignoring the obvious allows them to continue life in ignorance.  If that ignorance has consequences, they are convinced that they can evade responsibility by saying, “I did not know . . .”

Jesus was not impressed with the thinking of the Pharisees and scribes who came to test him.  His response: “You need a miracle to confirm my identity? Are you not among those who read the sky to determine if it will be fair or stormy?  And you do not know who I am?  People who oppose God and are unfaithful to God ask for a miracle!  The only sign left for such people is the sign of Jonah!”  The man of compassion held deliberate ignorance accountable.

Jonah sought to evade a God-given responsibility by running (and thereby hiding) from God.  All he proved was that evading God-given responsibility is impossible!  Such attempts produce self-inflicted hurt! 

To reject divine responsibility that you view as inconvenient or unlikeable is a choice.  It is ignorance by preference.

Suggestion for reflection: Morally, do you see the obvious or evade responsibility?  (Read Luke 11:29-36.)