Leg 2 Day 15 - Life Along the Way

Leg 2 Day 15

The Only Sign Necessary

Jesus Among Us

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Scripture:

Matthew 12:38-42

MATTHEW 12:38–42 (MSG) Later a few religion scholars and Pharisees cornered him. “Teacher, we want to see your credentials. Give us some hard evidence that God is in this. How about a miracle?” Jesus said, “You’re looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you want is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. The only proof you’re going to get is what looks like the absence of proof: Jonah- evidence. Like Jonah, three days and nights in the fish’s belly, the Son of Man will be gone three days and nights in a deep grave. On Judgment Day, the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day, the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that will condemn this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’”

Life Lessons from Jesus:

Many of us, at some point, have asked God to give us a sign. It’s common for people to keep saying, “If God gives me a sign, then I’ll believe.” But do we really need another sign? And what happens if that sign we insist on seeing doesn’t come? Does that mean we stop believing in Him? The religious scholars and Pharisees asked for a sign despite all the ones they’d already witnessed. There was no good reason to ask for another, besides having a gesture made just for them—a test of God’s power. But God doesn’t manifest His miracles in order to prove His power whenever we demand it. He refuses to be tested. Instead, signs come in His own timing, given to us as gifts of grace. These religious leaders had rejected all the other miracles already, so Jesus tells them that the only sign He would give them would be the sign of Jonah, referring to His death, burial, and resurrection. This is the only sign the world needs, even now, to know that Jesus is the Son of God. He doesn’t have to prove anything else. He’s already done it. All we have to do is accept that sign and believe.

The WAY:

Consider these questions as you reflect on today’s reading:

In your own words, what were the religious leaders asking of Jesus? Why were they asking for that?

Have you ever asked God for a sign? What were the circumstances surrounding that request, and what was your motivation for asking? What was the outcome?

Do you know anyone who is waiting for a sign from God before they will believe in Him or trust Him? How might you pray for them?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the greatest sign of all, which proved that You are the Son of God: Your death on the cross and resurrection. You paid the debt that I owed. Help me to live my life with gratitude, not with an attitude of entitlement, as if You owe me something more. I already owe everything to You. In Your name, amen.

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