Looking for a Sign

Introduction

Some people are naive and gullible. They will believe just about anything. Tell them that it is possible to purchase part of the Golden Gate Bridge and they may take out a loan. These folks believe everything that they read and everything that they see on television. They believe that Tom Brokaw reports only the facts and that the National Enquirer is a legitimate newspaper. Others need much more convincing. Reports from eyewitnesses may not be enough to convince them. They have to experience the event themselves to believe and even then faith may be hard to come by. The point is that people develop faith at different speeds and levels. Not all come to faith in the same way or at the same time. However, faith which doesn’t translate into action is no faith at all. Flying is the safest form of travel. Knowing this truth but refusing to fly is an example of belief with no trust. The person who knows it is safe to fly but doesn’t fly has no faith at all.

What would it take to convince you that Jesus is who he claims to be? Many of you would say you already believe. Many of you would say that you have faith in Jesus and that you demonstrate that faith daily. I’m not here to argue that point. That is between you and God. I would say that there have been and are ample demonstrations of faith among you. Perfect faith will never be ours. But consistent faith is what is needed. Perhaps the question should be “what would it take to make your faith consistent?”

Jesus had that problem. The ones who saw him perform miracles; the ones who with their own hands had helped with miracles still missed the point too many times. Their lack of consistency in faith challenged Jesus. But Jesus never gave up on his disciples and that is ultimately the point we should receive today. Jesus doesn’t give up on us. We may not be consistent in our faith and consistency is what God wants, but he doesn’t give up on us.

Give Us a Sign

The first part of Mark 8, Jesus feeds over four thousand hungry men, women and children. There are a number of similarities between this story and the feeding of the 5000 which occurs in chapter 6 but these are two different stories. One of the main reasons we know these are two separate stories is that chapter 6 took place in a Jewish area while chapter 8 occurs in a Gentile region. Jesus is making an impact on Gentiles as well as Jews.

The Pharisees confront Jesus one more time. This time in verses 11—13, they ask Jesus for a sign from heaven. They are wanting proof that Jesus’ miracles are really from God. Recall in chapter 3 that they accused Jesus’ miracles as being the work of Satan. They have seen miracles. They are now wanting a sign that what Jesus is doing and claiming is actually from God. Jesus’ reaction says it all. He has done all that is required of him. He has performed miracles in the name of God. He has not called on people to follow after other gods. Instead he has called all to follow the one true God. And still the religious leaders do not believe.

But the disciples are not much better. Although there is not an outright rejection of Jesus, there is a misunderstanding about who he is. In verses 14—21, the disciples and Jesus are in the boat crossing the sea of Galilee. A warning from Jesus is misunderstood. He warns about unbelief. But they miss the point. They discuss their lack of bread. It is as if Jesus is winking at the blind or whispering to the deaf. The disciples see but do not perceive; they hear but do not understand. Mark has already told us that after the feeding of the 5000 their hearts were hard. They saw it but they still didn’t trust. So Jesus rehearses what they have recently experienced.

Do you remember the feeding of the 5000? Have you so quickly forgotten? How many basketfuls of pieces did you retrieve after that meal? Twelve they reply. Do you remember the feeding of the 4000? Have you so quickly forgotten? How many basketfuls of pieces did you retrieve after that meal? Seven they reply. Do you still not understand?

Are We Dense?

How could the disciples be so blind? How could they be so dense? But the disciples are not the only ones who suffer from spiritual ignorance. They looked at life through their own lens. Traditions and customs surrounded them. This Jesus was pushing them to see things differently. But how difficult that was. They had watched the transformation of a few loaves of bread into enough to feed thousands and yet they still couldn’t trust him. Sitting in the boat they discuss Jesus’ warning and wonder if he is chiding them because they forgot to bring some bread with them. All the while the very one who could give them more than enough bread was with them in the boat and they still discuss.

But even as we might question the disciples’ faith so must we question our own. The cares of their world seeped into their minds and it became difficult to see the truth. But how many times have we been captured by the mundane things of this world and fail to realize that we were traveling with the one who can provide whatever we need. Think with me for a moment. We aren’t talking about life and death issues. The disciples are discussing bread as the one who has fed thousands sits with them. Do we have enough bread? Did we bring enough? Maybe we should go back and get more? What if we don’t have enough for breakfast in the morning? Wringing their hands and their hearts pumping a bit more with adrenalin to spare. Can’t you see they get into small groups to discuss ways to get more bread into the boat; and to discuss ways to feed themselves. And Jesus sits in the back of the boat shaking his head.

What were you worried about last year? What were you worried about last month? Do you remember 10 years ago? Here’s the problem—our vision is limited. But Jesus’s isn’t. When the Fellowship Hall was being thought of and conceived, I had no idea what it would look like. Anthony’s drawing gave me an idea but I couldn’t see it. Allen could though. He saw it from beginning to end what it was supposed to look like and how it was going to be constructed and where all the pipes went and I watched as this building took shape even though my vision was limited.

Jesus knows what your life looks like and what it will look like. We see nothing. We strain in the darkness to see a vague shadowy outline of what can be, but for Jesus it is crystal clear. And he calls on you to trust his vision. Remember the time that Jesus provided strength when your faith was weak? Remember the time that Jesus provided comfort when there were no arms to comfort? Remember the time that Jesus provided peace when hell was breaking loose around you? Remember the time that he provided help when you thought you were alone? Remember the time that…? Do you remember? Quit discussing and start trusting.

What does that look like? Trust reveals itself in confidence. Trust reveals itself in actions. A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued: “Is anyone up there?” “I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?” “Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can’t hang on much longer.” “That’s all right, if you really believe you have nothing to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch.” A moment of pause, then: “Is anyone else up there?” I’m not suggesting that God will speak to you, but I am suggesting that trust means walking with God and not allowing the mundane things of life to distract you. Jesus has a clear vision. He knows where you are going. Follow him. Trust him. Develop a consistent faith.

Follow Jesus

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