July 28, Matthew 16
Storm warnings are routine in our technologically advanced age. Weather forecasters predict coming storms with remarkable accuracy. Television meteorologists have radar tools that show not only the location of a storm, but its intensity, wind speed and track as well. These forecasters and their tools help many people get out of harm’s way.
People who lived when Jesus was on earth looked to the sky for clues about approaching weather conditions. They didn’t have technology to produce a ten-day forecast. (Modern ten-day forecasts aren’t all that good, either.) But the ancients had methods already old in their time to anticipate what was ahead. And still today, red skies in the evening or morning are folk wisdom’s forecasting tools.
There are “red sky at morning” clues in today’s passage about the approaching storm Jesus was destined to face. Jesus dropped a veiled hint about his coming death and resurrection as he told the Pharisees and Sadducees the sign of Jonah would be the only one they would receive. After Peter’s remarkable confession of Jesus as the Christ, Jesus began telling the disciples what lay ahead in Jerusalem. Suffering and death were in the forecast for Jesus, but the disciples could not believe Messiah would ever face such a dark prospect. Peter voiced it for all of them: “This shall never happen to you.” But it would happen, Jesus knew, and he next began to tell them that they too would face crosses and lose their lives for his sake. The kingdom would come, and they would see it. But the storms would come as well.
You and I are blessed to live on the “empty tomb” side of these dark events. It is hard for us to imagine the darkness and terror of the storm Jesus endured at the cross, not because we don’t know the story, but because we do know it, including the beautiful morning of the resurrection. We look back on that storm from the calm place where we are assured of his triumph over the storm of hatred and violence that rained down on him that day.
But we are mistaken if we think there are no storms on the horizon for us as modern day disciples of Jesus. He has been forthright in the warnings—they hated him, they will hate those who follow him. The demands of discipleship still call for each of us to take up the cross and follow him. The red sky warning of impending storms is still there, even if we know the enemy cannot win.
The forecasters and their instruments have saved many lives through their predictions. It’s smart to pay attention to weather warnings. It’s also smart to save ourselves from needless loss and pain by listening to Jesus and staying close to him.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide
for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used
by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—July 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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