by Pastor Paul Jehle
“Why doth this generation seek after a sign?” Mark 8:12
As we have studied each week in the book of Mark, we can discern a focus from the teachings of Jesus. When He healed someone or a miracle took place, He said “don’t tell anyone.”
This is hard to understand in a culture such as ours. Through electronic media we hardly do anything without telling someone else! Though much of what is said is trivial, it is hard to understand why Jesus would keep saying not to spread the news.
The critical point of Jesus teaching is simple: focus on the Savior and not the sign. In other words, if we focus on the power, miracle or sign, we miss the Savior.
Jesus knew that throngs of people would follow Him just to get a miraculous meal, healing or deliverance. Though these were needed, in some cases, desperately, the greatest need each individual had was a relationship with Him.
So it is today. Our greatest need continues to be a relationship with the risen Christ based on His character and not based on what we can receive in the way of a miraculous sign.
Now we believe God can do miracles, and we are to obedient in praying for Him to intervene and touch people’s lives. However, our focus is not the sign.
Think of it this way. When you see a sign along the road, what should be your response? Should we stop the car, and simply gaze at the sign, or does it point us in the right direction for our travel?
So it is with the miracles of healing, deliverance and provision. Though we are in need of these, and in several cases, desperately in need of them, we must always recognize that our relationship with Christ is eternal and will last forever, but temporal healings only last in this life!