Matthew 16  Jesus sat on the mountain side by the Sea of Galilee and healed multitudes of lame, crippled, blind, dumb, and needy people. He had fed 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and 4000 with seven loaves. Yet, the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him and asked for a sign from heaven!

Jesus would not perform for them..  You can read the skies.. He told them, but You can't see the Truth of God's Kingdom!  Evil hearts veil and blind the eyes of those who will not surrender to God.
Worse yet, these unbelievers spread their lies like yeast spreads through the dough.

The disciples were just beginning to figure out Who Jesus really was.  Finally Peter came to the conclusion that Jesus is the "Christ, the Son of the living God."  But, he could not accept that He would die on a cross and be raised again. Jesus, the Supreme Example, would go on to say that
"anyone"  who wanted to follow Him, would have to follow Him to the cross.

The Kingdom of God won't be entered with spectacular miracles.. but with surrendered hearts.  Self-denial.  Willing self-sacrifice. Even to the point of death.  The salvation of one's soul is more valuable than anything that this life can offer.  The disciples were tested on this.. and we are too.  We are constantly challenged by our Lord to lay down our lives and take up our crosses and follow Him.
It is the narrow way that leads to life.
It is the pearl of great price.
It is the Truth of the gospel.
It is the only way to Heaven.


Father, help us!  We are weak, but You are strong.  Strengthen us by Your Spirit that we might live according to Your will. Protect us from the selfish desires of our flesh and from the lies of the evil one. Lead us and move us so that we might walk in the Truth and Righteousness of our Beloved Savior.  In His name we come. Amen.