Sunday, June 30, 2024  

---

Today's Scripture
Matthew 16:1–12

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.

When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, “Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They said to one another, “It is because we have brought no bread.” And becoming aware of it, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (NRSV)

---

Reflection

In these enigmatic passages, we hear Jesus expressing frustration with both Jewish religious leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees) and the disciples alike — the former for continuing to ask for “signs” (miracles) to demonstrate his power, the latter for continually misunderstanding or misinterpreting Jesus’ metaphors and teachings. Jesus’ anger is palpable — so much so that we may be hesitant to ask what exactly he meant by the “sign of Jonah” in verse 4! (It refers to Jonah’s three days in the big fish — equating it to Christ’s death and resurrection — along with the successful repentance of the Gentiles in Nineveh, foreshadowing the wider mission to the Gentiles post-resurrection).

These passages are part of a wider series of revelatory passages in Matthew’s sixteenth and seventeenth chapters — from Peter’s proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah, to Jesus teaching about his death and resurrection, to the famous mountaintop Transfiguration moment in chapter 17 — that stand as some of the most explicit statements about Jesus’ identity outside of those in the Gospel of John. It is hard not to empathize with Jesus as the Pharisees and Sadducees routinely try to undercut him and his disciples occasionally struggle to keep up — yet I also empathize with them for not fully understanding in that moment how paradigm-shifting Jesus was!

When we are in the midst of a massive change, it is so easy to mistakenly dismiss it like the Pharisees or radically misunderstand it like the disciples. It’s part of human nature! Nonetheless, I think we are continually challenged to look and listen for the new thing God is doing in our midst and to try and embrace it — recognizing God’s Spirit is at work once more.

---

Prayer
Help me to trust, O God, that you are doing a new thing in our midst. As it continues to spring forth, may we have the eyes to perceive your new way and the courage to follow that path. Amen.

---

Written by Matt Helms, Associate Pastor for Children, Family, and Welcoming Ministries (on sabbatical through September 2)

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email