A few times in the gospels, it says that Jesus knew their thoughts. Like most inquisitive Bible students, I have to wonder, did Jesus turn on the super powers or was he just really aware of what was going on?

 

Although one can't know for sure, I suspect it was the latter. I think this for all sorts of reasons. Jesus was fully human. He knew what Torah said about the human heart. He knew what the Prophets said about those who would have him killed.

 

Interestingly, the Lord prompted my heart to write about this particular topic because today is Yom Teruah or Feast of Trumpets (Kararite observance), which is a biblical feast day foreshadowing Jesus's second coming. In other words, I can be aware of Jesus's return when the sign of the new moon appears (in the right month, of course).

 

Enjoy this insight from Jewish scholar Mark Biltz. In response to Matthew 25:13, Mark notes, "When [Yeshua] says you don't know the day or the hour, He's speaking to the foolish virgins, not the wise virgins." In reference to Matthew 24:36, Mark offers this insight regarding the annual Feast of Trumpets, noting that the Israelites never knew the precise moment it began, "because it was based on the sighting of the new moon."

The more I engage the Scriptures, the more I'm discovering that God never wants his children left in the dark. We are to be aware, reading the signs. This is true of everything from U.S. international relations to how our brothers and sisters in Christ are feeling right across the room.

 

It's not so much a super power as it is being sensitive to the truths of the Scriptures and our surroundings. And when we're aware of what is going on in those around us, we are much more apt to minister to them, drawing them out, clarifying some point, facilitating their growth in the Lord. It goes right along with Jesus's charge to his disciples: love one another.