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Day 174

2 Peter 1:19 "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed..."

Day 174 – Mark 8

“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed…” 2 Peter 1:19

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

Though two powerful miracles had been performed, Mark did not record Jesus speaking to His Disciples about them. How should we understand His silence?

1. The significance of these miracles was obvious

Thus there was really no need to comment on them at all! To Jesus, every miracle He performed had deep significance. Did the disciples understand the significance of each miracle performed? Each one was accompanied by deep spiritual lessons.

2. The need to let the significance of a miracle sink in

Significance is not always readily felt or understood. Each disciple must work out the significance of what he had seen and experienced. And if there was a need for clarification, the disciples had access to Jesus and they could have asked Him to explain the miracles He performed.

ANOTHER PUBLIC DISPUTE

The Pharisees had lost every round of debate with Jesus. Nevertheless, they were determined to keep up their attacks against Him. This time, they disputed with Him on the subject of “signs”.

Moses allowed for signs to authenticate the person who calls himself a prophet of God.

“And if you say in your heart,
‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’-
when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD,
if the thing does not happen or come to pass,
that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken:
the prophet has spoken it presumptuously;
you shall not be afraid of him.”
DEUTERONOMY 18:21-22

1. Speaking in the name of the Lord

Jesus certainly claimed that He spoke on behalf of His Father. Constantly, He appealed to the Holy Scriptures as authority.

2. Checking Jesus out

The Pharisees were within their right to check Jesus out! There was no objection from Jesus when He was publicly queried.

3. Checking the Pharisees out

Jesus also had every right to question the Pharisees, especially on two counts:-

a) With reference to their interpretation of the Scriptures.
b) With reference to their appeals to the tradition of the elders.