TAKE CARE HOW YOU LISTEN

Peoples’ questions and requests should not always dictate our response. Just because these Pharisees and Sadducees ask Jesus for a sign does not obligate him to perform one. He understands how hard it is to convince the skeptic and, although he provides miraculous intervention for the needy who call on him in faith, he tends to point the skeptics to signs readily available (3). An example is the sign of Jonah, prefiguring his resurrection. There comes a time to say, “examine the evidence” and move on.

But Jesus’ concern is that the attitude of these Pharisees and Sadducees might infect his disciples, who remain somewhat confused and lacking in understanding (5). Skeptics can undermine one’s faith, like a small amount of yeast having a disproportionate impact on the loaf. We see it, for example, when a relatively small number of secularists create enough noise to pressure principals into reducing or even prohibiting access of Christian groups into their schools. Similar influences leave young Christians struggling with apprehension over expressing their beliefs. It is encouraging that Jesus sticks with his dodgy disciples, reminding those who are “strong” to be patient with those who are “weak.” Jesus patiently reminds them of what they have witnessed and explains his concern that they need to avoid those who are trying to destabilize their trust in him.

It raises the question for us: what must we do to avoid the diluting of our faith? Are there gadgets that we need to switch off that gradually pollute our thinking? We don’t want to bury our heads in the sand, but some things erode our faith over time without us even noticing. If we do choose to watch or listen, we can ill afford to relax for a moment.

What are the unhelpful cultural influences that most infect the church (including the ones that are internal)? How can we set about combating these influences? What’s your role?