Matthew 16:1-4 Seeking a Sign

The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, "When it is evening, you say, ' It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.'  And in the morning, ' There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?  An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." And He left them and went away. [Matthew 16:1‭-‬4 NASB]

Picture this for a moment: a man is brought to Jesus with a broken leg. He cannot work or earn a living. Jesus heals his leg. A woman is dying of a disease. Jesus eradicates the disease from her body, and she is well. Another man has lost his hand in a accident. Jesus touches him, and he has a new hand.

Jesus has performed miracles in the full view of thousands, and the His fame has spread through all Israel and the neighboring nations.

In the midst of this, the religious leaders say, "show us a sign."

Clearly, they are not interested in knowing God. They do not want to glorify the Lord for His good and mighty works. Their purpose in seeking a sign is to find a way to entrap Jesus.

Jesus is clever in turning the demands of these religious people back on them. They asked for a sign from heaven, so He points to the heavens. They can see the world around them. They can discern the appearance of the sky, but their minds are closed to spiritual truth.

Jesus is practicing what He preached when He said, "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." [Matthew 7:6 NASB]

The only sign He would give, He said, was the sign of Jonah, which was a prophecy of His own death and resurrection.

I think it is natural for people to want a sign. Years ago, the church I was involved with experience a renewal movement, during which many people received miracles of healing. Many people were saved. During this time, we received visitors from all over the United States. A lot of these had been to other churches around the country, and to conferences that were exhibiting the same phenomenon.

Only God can judge their hearts, but their behavior indicates that they were traveling the country, seeking signs. It seems that they were never satisfied with knowing God. They wanted the external stimulation, not the internal relationship.

I don't question whether that movement was from God. Many people were drawn in and saved. Many lives were permanently changed. On the other hand, many lives remained unchanged. Some who had directly experience the power of God, fell into sin.

What they failed to realize is that signs and wonders do not cleanse your heart, nor do they produce long lasting change. Experiencing a miracle does not change your heart, unless you allow it to inspire you to have a closer relationship with God. But that choice is up to the individual.

The Sadducees and Pharisees saw many of the same miracles as the disciples. The disciples chose to draw close to Jesus and know Him. The religious people chose to stand apart.

Don't seek after signs. Jesus already gave us the greatest sign by rising from the dead. You can choose to accept that and follow Him, or you can be religious and stand apart from Him. The choice is yours, but I urge you to draw closer to Him.