It’s hard not to feel exasperated when we read about these demands from the religious leaders. By this point in time, Jesus had already given signs. He had done His works right in front of their noses, and they knew it. Yet, even though they had witnessed His power and authority time and time again, they still asked for another sign. It was the religious crowd that frustrated Jesus the most. He didn’t need their personal validation to be who He already was. He was the Messiah, whether they accepted that reality or not. They chose to disregard the signs that were already there. They ignored common sense as they tried to take the situation into their own hands and influence it. We humans can be so blind to truth that goes against what we want or hope for. We do everything we can to ignore that truth or to mold our situations into something over which we have more control. We might even become angry with God or try to test Him. As a result, we miss everything He is trying to show us—the truth that’s right under our noses. The signs can be all around us, but when we’re in this state of denial, we don’t notice or acknowl- edge them. This is why it’s so important to let go of our desire to control every- thing, take a step back, open our hearts and minds, and, with fresh eyes, take a second look at what God is saying and doing.

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

What do you think Jesus is saying about signs in this passage?

When have you ignored something real just because you didn’t want it to be true? What happened when you finally acknowledged that it was true anyway?

Have you been resisting or ignoring any truths God has been showing you? If so, how can you change your response to Him today?