We would like to see a sign from you.
Don’t judge the Pharisees. You know you’ve asked for the same thing.
But note that Jesus didn’t reject the request because of what it’s asking for. Jesus rejected the request because of the posture from which it came.
And it’s not about sin, either. It’s about the perspective of humility that says, “You know what, God, I do need you.” (See Ninevah’s example.)
Matthew 12:38-45
At that time some of the legal experts and the Pharisees requested of Jesus, “Teacher, we would like to see a sign from you.”
But he replied, “An evil and unfaithful generation searches for a sign, but it won’t receive any sign except Jonah’s sign. Just as Jonah was in the whale’s belly for three days and three nights, so the Human One will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The citizens of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it as guilty, because they changed their hearts and lives in response to Jonah’s preaching. And look, someone greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will be raised up by God at the judgment with this generation and condemn it because she came from a distant land to hear Solomon’s wisdom. And look, someone greater than Solomon is here.
“When an unclean spirit leaves a person, it wanders through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the place vacant, cleaned up, and decorated. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and make their home there. That person is worse off at the end than at the beginning. This is the way it will be also for this evil generation.”
Prayer
God,
Who invented Thursdays? I feel like Thursday is the least-noticed day of the week. What is Thursday even known for? I’m grateful for Thursday since I know tomorrow is my sabbath day off. So help me live this day full of productivity.
Grant me wisdom and grace in my meetings today. In conversations, may I be on point subject-wise even as I remember my role as your servant. Help me see those I sit with as your children, co-members of your family.
Help me swing with the unexpected things, endure the disappointments, and celebrate the joys.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.