SEEING BUT NOT PERCEIVING

Amazed by Christ’s Power

The crowds were amazed by the power of Christ.

Matthew 8:16 “That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.”

So here Christ again demonstrated His authority over demons, affliction, and sickness. He had also proven His authority over creation. He had proven that He has authority over life and death. He has authority to forgive sins and give eternal life. He also has authority to judge us and to cast into hell.

The Blindness of the Pharisees

The Pharisees saw all Christ did but didn’t perceive who He was.

See Isaiah 6:9-10...

The Pharisees were blinded by Satan, the world, and their sin.

2 Corinthians 4:4 “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Ephesians 2:2 “in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—”

John 8:44 says that apart from Christ, we are of our father the devil, and our will is to do our father’s desires.

John 3:19 “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”

The Pharisees were perfectly content with their condition.

Jeremiah 5:30–31 “An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?”

See John 9:39-41...

Without Excuse

The Pharisees had been given ample evidence of Christ’s identity.

See Deuteronomy 19:15 and John 8:13...

The Son (John 8:18), the Father and Spirit (John 5:37, Matthew 3:16-17), John the Baptist (John 1:6-7), the works of Jesus (John 5:36), and the Scriptures (John 5:39), the disciples (John 15:27), and the multitude of changed lives all bore witness that Jesus was the Messiah and Savior of the world.

Though we have no excuse for our sins, God loves us enough to make a way for us to be saved.

John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

See 2 Corinthians 4:4-6...

John 16:8 “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:”