Looking for a Sign

Scribes and Pharisees Seeking a Sign The scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign to prove who He was. Their intent was not to confirm faith but to find something to condemn Him for. They wanted to tempt or trap Him. The Nature of Seeking Signs Seeking signs is human nature. Examples: Gideon sought confirmation from God, and God honored his request. Gideon asked for a wet fleece with dry ground, then a dry fleece with wet ground. If the motivation is to increase faith, God will provide a sign. Signs can be tokens or indications to obey, pay attention, or learn. Some seek signs not to believe but to avoid dealing with something in their hearts. Abundance of Existing Signs Many signs had already been given in the preceding 11 chapters of Matthew. Jesus had already done much to prove He was God. If the motivation is disbelief, no additional signs will be given. The desire should be to know Christ and be saved. Evil and Adulterous Generation Jesus called them an evil and adulterous generation for seeking a sign. These were the same people who would crucify Christ. They wanted something new, but there is nothing new in the Word of God. The Word of God is a sign for all. Seeking a sign to justify disbelief is an evil and adulterous thought pattern. Signs They Rejected The preaching of John the Baptist: John preached repentance and the coming Messiah. He identified Jesus as the Lamb of God. They went to hear John but did not receive the sign. Testimonies of those healed by Christ: The blind man testified that he was healed by Jesus, regardless of whether Jesus was a sinner. Testimonies of God’s people are a sign to the world. The Word of Christ Himself: God spoke to the heart, revealing Himself. The greatest sign is when the Holy Ghost speaks to the heart. Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and taught in the temple. Refusing to hear Jesus means one will never be saved. Evil and Adulterous Hearts Seeking something different indicates evil in the heart. Looking for something other than what God has given is adulterous. It means wanting a different God or something else entirely. The Sign of Jonah The only sign to be given would be the sign of Jonah. Jonah went into the belly of death and was delivered. Jesus would go into the heart of the earth, die for sins, and rise again. The resurrection is the greatest sign. The discomfort of the scribes and Pharisees can be imagined when they learned of the empty tomb. The guards reported an angel descending, rolling back the stone, and their falling like dead men. Proofs of Christ’s Resurrection Many people have made a profession of faith and testify that Jesus is alive. Mary recognized Jesus when He spoke her name in the garden. Jesus is on the throne of glory. Signs in Matthew’s Gospel The leper: Jesus healed a leper, cleansing him from his disease. The centurion’s servant: Jesus healed the centurion’s servant sick with palsy. The centurion demonstrated great faith. The crippled man: Four men lowered a crippled man through the roof to reach Jesus. Jesus forgave his sins and healed him, telling him to take up his bed and walk. The scribes and Pharisees murmured because they didn’t believe Jesus had the power to forgive sins. The blind man: Jesus healed a blind man, which was unprecedented. The woman with the issue of blood: She touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was immediately healed. Jesus stopped and asked who touched Him, revealing the miracle to the crowd. Jairus’ daughter: Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. He told them she was only sleeping, but they laughed at Him. Conviction and Belief These signs should lead to conviction and belief. Seeing these miracles should cause one to question why they don’t believe. Personal experience of being born again is a sign. God is not hiding what He has done. If the reason for seeking a sign is to confirm doubt, no more will be given. Everything already given is sufficient. The Importance of the Word and Spirit The only signs needed are from the Word of God and the Spirit of God. What matters is the Word of God and the Holy Ghost. The question is whether one wants to believe. Creation as a Sign Creation itself is a sign of God’s eternal power and Godhead. Romans 1:20 states that these things are clearly seen from the creation of the world. People are without excuse because they have this sign. The Rainbow as a Sign The rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant not to flood the earth again. Genesis 9 establishes the rainbow as a token of this covenant. It serves as a reminder of God’s promise. Conclusion The problem is not the lack of signs but the lack of belief in the signs already given. Signs include preaching, testimonies, and the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The only thing needed to be saved is to believe. The invitation is to run to Jesus and respond to the signs that have been given.