Just One More Sign

Matthew 16:1-4; Mark 8:11, 12

Our Scripture reading today is Matthew 16:1-4:

[1] Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.
[2] But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’ [3] and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times. [4] A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.

Let’s call today’s devotional:
Just One More Sign

“Show us a sign,” they were saying. Jesus had already shown himself to be God’s Son. He had healed the sick, caused the blind to see, and even raised the dead. But they weren’t really looking for a sign or a reason to believe. The verses say they “tested Jesus.” In other words, they were trying to trip him up, trying to catch him in something whereby they could accuse him.

There is an old movie in which the character, after the death of his wife, considers marrying an evil woman. He walks over to the picture of his wife hanging on a wall and asks the picture for a sign. The picture smokes and spins. Finally, the wall behind the picture cracks. He stares at the picture and says, “Just any sign. I’ll be watching,” and walks away. He wasn’t looking for a sign, and neither were these Jewish leaders.

It seems that humans always want one more sign. Even on the cross, those who were there wanted one more sign.
Matthew 27:39 tells us, “Those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!’”

God answers prayers. God has given us signs that he is there (See Romans 1:10–20). But, when we keep looking for a sign, we always wind up looking for “just one more sign.”

He has already given us the sign. He got up from the grave (Matthew 12:38–45). That is enough.

Lonnie Davis