A group of religious leaders asked Jesus to give them a “sign from heaven” (Matthew 16:1). They had witnessed many of His miracles, but they had either minimized them or attributed them to Satan. The Pharisees were now demanding that Jesus perform another miracle—perhaps like Joshua who commanded the sun and moon to stand still (Joshua 10:12-14), or like Elijah who called down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:30-40). They did this to test Jesus.
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After admiring a painting in a woman’s home, I was surprised by her generosity when she took it down and gave it to me.
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When Supreme Court Justice Byron White was in Salt Lake City to give a speech, he was attacked by an angry man. The suspect said he assaulted the respected judge because of his High Court decisions. He said, “Justice White is causing four-letter words to come into my living room through the TV set.” Rationalizing his attack, he continued, “The only way I know how to stop it is to go to the source.”
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When Jesus lived on this earth, He invited people to come to Him, and He still does today (John 6:35). But what do He and His Father in heaven have that we need?
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At a British university, a group of students had raised the question, “What do you want to be?” Different answers were given—a champion athlete, an influential politician, a noted scholar. Shyly, yet clearly, one student said something that caused thoughtful silence: “You may laugh at me, but I want to be a saint.”
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The 121st Psalm was a favorite of my father. The Scottish people called it “The Traveler’s Psalm.” Whenever a family member, a guest, or a friend was leaving on a journey, this psalm was read—or more often sung—at family prayers. When my father left the “old country” alone as a teenager to come to the United States, he was bidden farewell with this psalm.
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When it comes to telling others about Jesus, I’m sometimes like a cautious farmer who keeps his eye on the weather, looking for the perfect day to plant his crops. The season passes and he sows nothing. The opportunity is gone; the harvest is lost (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
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I recall a Sunday school lesson from nearly 40 years ago in which we were taught to love God in spite of our circumstances. Loving God is easy when He grants our requests and provides what we desire. Loving Him in difficult circumstances tests our faith.
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During these days of horrific world events, Christians should be appalled but not taken by surprise. Jesus forewarned us of terrible times to come (Luke 21:25-28). In today’s reading, Peter reassured believers by reminding them of God’s unfolding purposes and final victory.
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The Bible is a remarkable book. Millions of copies are bought each year. It has been the number-one bestseller for decades. But tragically, the Bible is said to be the least-read bestseller of all time.
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