Matthew now segways from the temptation from the Pharisees & Sadducees for Jesus to do a very great thing … a good thing. “Bring us a sign from heaven, Jesus.” We often consider temptations to be for bad things such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, viewing images no one should view, stealing, etc. But Jesus met the temptation from these religious elites with the authoritative assertion that the only sign necessary for the ‘evil and adulterous generation’ would be Jesus’ own death, burial, and resurrection. The cross and the resurrection are the only signs that the Church requires. No other ‘signs from heaven’ can compare.

Now let us read Matthew’s Segway to the interaction with his 12 disciples. This is a repeated pattern in Matthew’s presentation of Jesus’ ministry. Confrontation with evil arrogance followed by a teaching moment with the 12 Apostles.

This passage shows us a warning against adding to the work of Jesus Christ upon the cross. The doctrine of the Church showcased here is Solus Christus … in Christ Alone … or In Christo solo … it is one of the five Solae that summarize the Protestant Reformers’ basic belief that salvation is by faith in Christ alone.

The temptation from the Pharisees and Sadducees is an all-too-common temptation that has plagued the Church from the very beginning. Yes, Christ Jesus has all authority to save … but … he needs our help … we must assist him with proving that Jesus Saves … that Jesus is who he says he is.