Matthew 16:1-4 (NCV)

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus, wanting to trick him. So they asked him to show them a miracle from God. Jesus answered, “At sunset you say we will have good weather, because the sky is red. And in the morning you say that it will be a rainy day, because the sky is dark and red. You see these signs in the sky and know what they mean. In the same way, you see the things I am doing now, but you don’t know their meaning. Evil and sinful people ask for a sign, but they will not be given any sign, except the sign of Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away.

The Pharisees and Sadducees approached Jesus with the intention of tricking Him. Other translations use “test” and even “tempt” to describe what they were trying to do. Verse one in The Message reads, “Some Pharisees and Sadducees badgered him again, pressing him to prove himself to them.” They wanted to incite Jesus into performing in order to prove Himself to them. They did not come to Jesus in belief seeking help for their unbelief, but instead as ones having already made up their minds, wanting Him to enter a debate where they could provide counterargument, if not have Him fail the challenge in the first place. 

Jesus did not take the bait. He pointed out the obvious signs they used in nature to determine the weather forecast, things they see and believe in all the time. Yet, Jesus was right in front of them, and they refused to see Him and believe in Him. Jesus Himself was a sign, from His miraculous birth and very existence to the teaching and miracles He performed on this earth and, eventually, though not at this point, His death and resurrection. 

According to Jesus, the only sign the Pharisees and Sadducees and people like them would get is the sign of Jonah. Jonah went into the city of Nineveh and announced it would be destroyed, and the people repented. (See Jonah 3:4-5.) If the Ninevites could be so responsive to just an announcement of destruction, why not the Pharisees and Sadducees of all the announcements of the coming Christ? (Not to mention the life and miracles of Jesus!)

At the end of the whole encounter with the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus left them! Walked right out and went on. He refused to be goaded by them. He did not feel a need to debate with them or argue or try to prove Himself and His point. 

If someone is trying to lure us into the sin of argument for argument’s sake or only to defeat us no matter what, then we are best to just leave them alone. They have the prophecy and signs that have already happened. They have the example of our lives. If their hearts are hardened and their minds already made up, nothing we say or do to them is going to change their minds. All we can do is pray for the Lord to soften their hearts and the Spirit to find a way into them.

Later in this chapter of Matthew (verses 8-12), Jesus admonished the disciples that they had seen the feeding of the five thousand and the four thousand and yet still thought he worried about the availability of food when He spoke of bread. Don’t be like the Pharisees and Sadducees and completely miss out on what happens right in front of you!

In response to Peter’s recognizing Him as the Christ, Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17.)

The use of debate and worldly logic is not solely going to convince a person to accept Christ. God’s ways are not our ways. It’s an act of faith based on the miraculous signs the Lord gave us in Jesus and through those who walk in faith, demonstrating His Light and Power right in front of our eyes. 

Lord, give us eyes that see and ears that hear. Come into our hearts and guide us to ever turn toward You, taking Your Hand so that we walk in faith with You. Bless us this day and every day. Thank You for Your loving provision. In the glorious name of Christ we pray, Amen.