Sunday 26 August, 2018

16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, 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 you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

Insisting on proof/demanding a supernatural sign – gosh these guys were rude. God had already given so many signs but they wanted one they specified. Isn’t that just like all of us – we want things the way that makes sense to us in the timing we want. God explains to us the signs He has provided about who Jesus was:

• line of David
• born in Bethlehem
• range of miraculous signs that had already occurred
• God’s introduction at Jesus’ baptism

to name just a few. We need to think of how we feel when people don’t believe what we say.

Unlike the guys who were speaking to Jesus we have access to many resources that can help us know what God has already said about who He is and how we can know Him – the Bible in many versions and lots of well written, well researched study tools – much of which is available online at no or low cost.

Lord, thank You for communicating with us, for telling us how we can know You and Jesus. That we can see Your love through Jesus coming to provide a way to relationship for us. Help us to remember what You have spoken to us and to not ignore what You have said.

Written by Therese Manning