Hanging out with Jesus XVI: Tuning to God's Frequency

Hanging out with Jesus XVI: Tuning to God's Frequency

Mark 8 key verse 8:12

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign?  Verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation (Mark 8:12)

He hath done all things well; he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak (Mark 7:37)

God often sighs in frustration in dealing with us people.  He has to bear with the failure and slowness with which we find his wavelength, catch his signal, tune to his frequency and connect  to his channel . Without shared frequency communication between God and us is impossible.  Often people including his disciples would operate with a very different mindset and perspective to his such that they failed to understand his ways, his words and his heart. Often their hearts were prone and accustomed to receiving content streamed from sources strange to God. They just could not sustain seeing  things as he did.  As a result they often were at cross-purpose with him and misaligned to his will.  

When people caught the frequency of Jesus they came to one conclusion.   And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak (Mark 7:37). His name is wonderful. If anything is unwell come to him. Call on him because he makes all things well.  It is well. He does all things well. That is the meaning of holiness, which is his nature. He completes and perfects. When he said ‘It is finished’ it was well done - we were saved to the uttermost.

From Mark 8 we can identify three failures that  obstructed or interfered with God’s signal.

>> Failure  to remember

A multitude of 4000men plus women and children had been with Jesus for three days. Jesus had compassion on them. He was so caring to be thoughtful that some had come from far and were too hungry to be send away hungry.  One would expect the disciples to immediately know the solution since Jesus had multiplied bread before. Instead they were puzzled that Jesus did not want to send them away hungry since there was no means to feed them.  It appears they would have dismissed them. Jesus however blessed the bread and fishes that were available and gave the disciples to distribute. Jesus thus had to demonstrate the second time his ability to multiply bread and fish to feed a multitude. Seven baskets were left over. He is not only sufficient but  all sufficient to cause overflow.

Before long after the multitude was fed, the disciples were on a boat with Jesus. He warned them to be careful of the leaven of the Pharisees.  Yet again, they had  forgotten. When you forget what God can do you begin to worry and become anxious. That is what happened. The disciples worried that they only had a loaf of bread. Jesus knew  their lost frequency and reminded them they were off tune. Why reason ye , because ye have no bread? Perceive ye not yet , neither understand? Have ye your heart yet hardened?  Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?   He had to remind them of the bread and fishes he had multiplied before.

Forgetfulness is a major human pitfall and hazard to faith. In the Old Testament despite the many mighty miracles God performed for the children of Israel  each time they faced the next hurdle or challenge, they would forget  and would resort to complaining and murmuring in fear. As a result of failure to sustain connection to God’s frequency they wondered in the wilderness for forty years. Do whatever you can to remind yourself of what God has done and what the Bible says he can do.  Do the places you frequent, the material you watch and read, websites you visit, and people you associate with remind you of what the Lord has done.

>> Failure to Notice and Acknowledge

God would often use signs (or miracles) in the Bible to authenticate His chosen messengers. The Lord provided Moses with several miraculous signs. Jesus had performed many miracles. He had raised the dead, healed the deaf and blind, multiplied bread, and set many free from demonic possession. But they failed to notice and believe. Rather, they would create empty traditions and follow them stringently.  Jesus was so grieved by their hardness of heart and even wept over the city of Jerusalem (Mark 3:5; Luke 19:41-44).

Many witnessed many signs and wonders that proved Jesus was the Son of God. Despite all these signs  the Pharisees still  asked for a sign.  For their demand for a sign, they got a sigh. Missing his signs brings his sigh of grief in place of relief. Jesus sighed deeply and said the generation that wanted a sign and would not acknowledge it when it was given did not deserve one.  That was the leaven of the Pharisees – demanding what is already there to receive.  A heart bent on seeking a sign will always want another. When the other comes it will ignore it or explain it away  rather than believe. They accused Jesus of doing his work and casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub/Satan.

A symptom of hardness of heart, or blindness or closing of eyes and ears.  With either condition it does not matter what one does it makes no difference. It is unmoved, untouched.   Even if the light shines the closed eye cannot see it. Even if the trumpet sound the shut ear cannot see it. Though the hand of the Lord be present, the hardened heart receives not from it.  Jesus recognized their hardness of heart and instead of a sign he prescribed a correct signal –  tuning to a correct frequency. He would only hope that final sign of his resurrection would convince them.  The sign of Jonah who was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish.  Jesus would be crucified but would rise again on the third day.

>> Failure to Mind the things of God 

When Jesus asked his disciples who he was. They were quick with what people said of him. When asked for their view Peter said he was the Christ.  He was commended for getting the answer right. However, while he got the words correct he missed the spiritual meaning of it. Jesus went on to bring out the implications of what Peter had just said. But Peter could not take it. He instead took Jesus aside and rebuked him so strongly that Jesus had to rebuke the devil. 

But he turning about, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and saith, Get thee behind me, Satan; for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men (Mark 8:33).

Peter looked to a messiah a saviour to deliver Israel from Roman rule not one to be arrested and killed. He rebelled against the notion that most likely he did not even hear the happy ending of resurrection.   Jesus identified Peter’s problem as the things that dominated his mind and heart  – things of men. Things of this world. Solving problems in this life so to enjoy before dying. Things of the natural realm.  Earthly minded selfish ambition (James 3:13-4:10). The praise of men.  Great influence in this world. Acquiring material wealth - money, houses, cars, fame. 

God wants us to be mindful of his things. When you are not mindful of the things of God - like Peter you will not see the way Jesus sees. You will not receive the work of the messiah. He must die because you deserved to die. You will miss his plan and purpose. You will misunderstand his ways. You will fight instead of cooperating with him.  To Jesus, love of the world replaced love for his Father.    Not only must the messiah die those who choose to follow Him must  also die to self. In losing false life they find true life.

Lets pray that we be mindful of the things of God. That we take them seriously. That we invest effort, time and treasure in them, that we seek the things above (Colossian 3:1-4), that our conduct and love be much different from that of the world, that the kingdom of God be our life priority and that we live with eternity in view.  Tune to God’s frequency through saturating your head and heart with God’s word. Read, listen, sing,  meditate and obey his word. Maintain a fresh and dynamic prayer life. If you had lost signal, like a GPS system recalculate and find your signal again. If you have been at same level for a long time grow towards maturity upgrade to  find the signal that matches your next level and current situation.  Allow God to put correct settings in your heart and antennae. Down load the necessary drivers through prayer and fasting. Make his fascinating and empowering channel your favorite. He watches your channel 24/7 despite it being often boring.  See yourself on his channel and you will be encouraged to know your new identity and position with God.  

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa