What Causes Blindness
Tuesday, March 25
Matthew 12:39-41 (NKJV)
“But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.”
Devotion
These were powerful words spoken by Jesus to the religious men of that time, not sinners, but scribes and Pharisees of the synagogue, who were supposed to know him. Yet Emmanuel, God Incarnate, stood right before them, and was unrecognizable to them. They only saw just another Rabbi, a teacher, trying to steal their thunder. They even tempted him to show them a sign to prove who he was. And so he did.
Jesus used the example of Jonah inside the belly of the whale for ‘three days and three nights’ because it would represent the length of time his death, burial, and resurrection would take place. (This was an important sign, because it would prove who he was, and that salvation came through him.) He went on to say that the worst sinners, like the men of Nineveh, would condemn them in the Day of Judgment because they repented of their sins, but the so-called religious, were too proud to do so.
What caused this blindness? The fear of the Lord had departed from their lives. The scribes and Pharisees became so full of themselves, that there was little room for God to occupy. Being independent of God and their need for Him, they presumed to worship Him, but their hearts were far from Him. Jesus knew this. He spoke to them in parables because their hearts had grown dull and “their ears were hard of hearing. Their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” (Matthew 13:14,15) Repentance is key to preventing blindness.
Repentance (meaning turning away from something, to something) is ongoing in the life of a believer. Once we accept Christ into our hearts for eternal salvation, a reflecting heart (through daily fellowshipping, the Word of God and prayer), is like a continuous flow of His living water washing over our hearts. Restoring the fear of the Lord in our lives is necessary and comes when we search for Him with all our hearts and rely on Him for everything. “ … receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; … if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5. Then we shall begin to see.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
We confess that we have too often asked for signs, signs to confirm Your resurrection as well as signs to confirm our callings to difficult tasks. We thank You that the resurrection of Jesus is all the proof that we really need, and we thank You that we have known signs and wonders beyond that. Help us to remember all the prayers You have answered and all the blessings You have provided. Help us to also be zealous and steadfast, as Jesus was, that the men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn it for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and many in this generation reject even the resurrection of Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Consider this: the histories given in the Law (Torah) and the prophets (like Jonah) are written down so that we can know God’s character and have faith in His warnings as well as His promises. Some prefer to treat the Word of God recorded before Messiah (Jesus) came to earth as fable or myth. Jesus spoke about it as truth. Believe Jesus today.
Resources
- Today’s devotional inspires us to remember that the signs we‘re looking for are all around us. Watch the message, “Whispers From God”, and be attentive to His whispers, signs, and wonders throughout the week.
- Calling all Men! Join us for the launch of FC Men and a special message by Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Register Today.