“Be Careful, Watch Out…!”

“Be Careful, Watch Out…!”(Mk.8:10-21).
The Holy Scriptures contains various figures of speech and figurative langauge. Jesus constantly used figures of speech like, parables, alliteration, metaphor etc. Jesus’ disciples were slow learners and usually did not understand Jesus’ figures of speech; but sometimes it may be that their hearts were hardened!
In the case of today’s text, the Pharisees tested Jesus by asking him for a sign from heaven. Jesus wondered why the generation asks for a miraculous sign. He told them he won’t give them any sign.Even today, we do not need a sign to believe in the mighty works of God through Jesus Christ.
When Jesus was with his disciples, he told them,“Be careful. Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” The disciples did not understand the metaphor. They thought he said this because they had only one loaf of bread.
Jesus asked them,“Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?…Do you still not understand?”
Jesus simply means that we should be careful not to be entrapped by the hypocrisy of traditionalism and officialdom! And also to avoid evil and sin; no matter how least it may seem!
As we pursue the path of faith we should have eyes that are discerning of the works of Christ around us; and ears that hear the resounding voice of God through the stories about how Jesus Christ is impacting the lives of those who believe in him.
At a deeper level, we must ask the Holy Spirit to enable us understand Scriptures so that we do not misunderstand a figure of speech because we think it is plain language!
Jesus Christ is enough for us without any miraculous sign!
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ I am not skilled to understand, until you make me understand that you are enough for me. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev. Babila Fochang.