Day 289, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Matthew 15:32-16:20; Mark 8:1-30; Luke 9:18-21
Responses to Jesus
I can’t believe my eyes! It’s too good to be true! Really? Are you sure? I don’t believe it. Wow! That is totally awesome! Sign me up! These are some typical responses to things that seem unbelievably good. However, many of us have been taught that if something looks too good to be true, it isn’t. Is there any proof that this miracle-working Jesus is who he said he is?
Yes! From the beginning, his lineage, testimonies about him, miracles, and his authoritative teaching verify his claims that he came from heaven and was sent from God his Father. Would Christ’s followers and the crowds of people believe it or keep denying it? Do we believe Jesus Christ is who he said he was, or do we reject him?
Selfish Response
In yesterday’s and today’s Bible reading, large crowds follow Jesus around because of the miracles and because he feeds them. They are only thinking of themselves and their stomachs.
What was true in the first century is still true now. Many people associate themselves with Christians and go to church simply because they want favors from God or his people. Hopefully, this is not our case.
Adversarial Response
Religious leaders, the Pharisees in particular, follow Jesus everywhere he goes. They keep questioning him, even after they see and hear of all his miracles. They refuse to believe and accept Jesus because he threatens their continued authority over the people. Jesus sighs deeply over their unbelief. He is disappointed and disgusted with them.
Is Jesus a threat to our lifestyle? Perhaps he is sighing deeply because some of us refuse to believe in him. Jesus does not cramp our lifestyle, as some think. He gives us spiritual life—a life of forgiveness, joy, peace, and the ability to please God! He came so we could have an abundant life! (John 10:10). If we continually obey him, God is gracious and blesses us.
After dealing with the Pharisees’adversarial response, Jesus warns his disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees. They do not understand what he means. They think he is rebuking them for not bringing bread with them on their journey across the Sea of Galilee. They have forgotten that Jesus is the Bread of Life. If he wants to, he can provide bread even while they are on the boat.
Have we forgotten Jesus is the Bread of Life? Have we succumbed to doubts when we are in difficult situations? Not only can the Lord provide our spiritual needs, but he can also provide our physical needs.
What then is Jesus talking about when he warns them to be careful of the yeast of the Pharisees? Yeast, when put in a batch of dough, makes the dough rise. A little yeast affects the whole lump. Yeast is like false teaching—if just a little is allowed, it will infect and corrupt the entire body of truth. When that happens, people lose confidence in the Holy Scriptures (the Bible). The Pharisees have harmful teachings, holding their traditions above the Scriptures.
A Biblical Response
Today, Christians should be respectful but not dependent on the opinions and traditions of priests, ministers, Christian teachers, or other religious leaders. What they say shouldn’t be considered on equal par or above the authoritative Word of God. The truth is found in his Word, the Bible. We have to examine all religious teachings to see if they are consistent with the Scriptures or in error (including these Bible studies). Permitting just a little false teaching can do significant damage to both individual believers and the church. Jesus is from God; therefore, we need to respond to Jesus as the author of truth.
The Disciples’ Response
After the Lord crosses the Sea of Galilee with his disciples and heals a blind man in Bethsaida, they work their way to Caesarea Philippi.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-17, NIV).
Our Response
Who is Jesus Christ? Is he just a so-called “miracle worker,” a prophet, or a great teacher of by-gone days? What we say about Christ is a reflection of what we think and feel. Jesus commends Peter’s faith in him and will also commend our faith in him if we really believe. If we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God who came to save us from our sins, then God can give us spiritual life and use us.
Discussion
What kind of responses did we see about Jesus in today’s Bible study?
