David Bahn – Reflections

The Good News of Jesus is that he died for our sins and rose from the grave for our salvation. There is much to this; much more than those few words might imply. But too often we forget the ongoing, present day work of Christ. We don’t even ask, “What have you done for me lately?”

Matthew 16:1-12

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. ²He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ ³And 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. ⁴ An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.

⁵When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. ⁶Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ⁷And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” ⁸But Jesus, aware of this, said,  “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? ⁹ Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? ¹⁰Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? ¹¹How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ¹² Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

One reason to pay attention to God’s ongoing work in our lives is so that we properly thank him for those blessings he gives us. When was the last time you gave thanks to God for a good night’s sleep, a safe commute to work, or a smile from your spouse? But another reason to recall the everyday blessings of God is for the purpose of a greater faith. As we see God’s work in our lives on a daily basis, our faith will take on ever-wider dimensions. We will be richer not only in gratitude for the blessings he gives, but also more able to meet the challenges that come our way, and more well grounded in our eternal hope in Christ.