S -
Matthew 16:1, 4 (TLJ): "The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus. They
wanted to test him. So they asked him to show them a miracle as a sign from
God. Jesus answered, … It is the evil and sinful people who want to see a
miracle as a sign from God. But no miracle will be done to prove anything to
them. The only sign will be the miracle that happened to Jonah. Then Jesus went
away from there."
O -
While miracles certainly do inspire and affirm belief(s) Jesus says they will
not be given to prove anything. What was
true before the miracle will be true not only after it but without it. The person and identity of Jesus, the
greatness, nearness and goodness of God, are not increased, changed or proved
by miracles. The truth is and is evident without them. Those seeking a proof
(the religiously righteous, socially upright, theologically based) in this
encounter are called evil (literally wicked and hurtful) and sinful (literally
adulterous) by Jesus; terms the secular and religious culture would not apply
to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Miracles are expressions of a love that is
already overflowing. A love that must be
proved to another will be a love that can always fall suspect. The actions of real love are not given as a
proof but as an expression and result that which already is. They are not given
as a "reward" to the one who is loved but as an unavoidable
expression of love. Jesus didn't come to earth as a reward for those who
loved God. He came as the expression of God's person and love to the world he
so loves. (cf. John 3:16; 1 John
4:10).
A - I do
need, want and ask for miracles because I am loved. Because I am loved I can ask anything in
Jesus' Name. Like any dearly loved child
I don't always get what I ask for but I am always, deeply, relentlessly
loved. He has loved me/us first, most
and refuses to change his mind. Today,
confident in him and his love, I get to follow, stay near and ask for anything
because nothing is too difficult, impossible or too wonderful for him.
P - God
who is love,
Thank you for loving us
because you love us; for making us for yourself and giving yourself to us. Today I welcome you and your will on earth,
you and your love on earth, in me and through me, like they do in heaven. Thank you for wanting us at our worst and for
working everything for good. Thank you
for wanting me to asking for anything according to your awesome brilliance,
limitless power and relentless love. I
am asking, believing, following, loving you back unto new wineskins, mulberry
trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.
In Jesus' Name,
Steve
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