Calendar

JESUS THE HEAVENLY SIGN (II)
THURSDAY, JUNE 19
Matthew 16:1-4

Jonah 1:17-2:10

 

“…there shall no sign be given unto it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas…”

 

JESUS THE HEAVENLY SIGN (II)
 
Why were the Pharisees and Sadducees blind towards spiritual things? Jesus revealed that it was due to their wickedness: “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.” It is evil and adulterous because it is pride and idolatry. The proud sinner worships his mind and intellect. He wants to see in order to believe. But God requires that he believes in order to see.
 
It is mentioned that Jesus “sighed deeply in his spirit.” He was very grieved over their stubborn rejection of Him. This shows that God does not delight in the loss of the reprobate. God says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezek 33:11).
 
Jesus nevertheless had a sign for them, namely, the sign of Jonah (cf. Matt 12:38-42). It was the sign of His death and resurrection. It was a sign to the Pharisees who were planning to kill Him that they would be defeated because He would conquer death, and live again. It was a sign to the Sadducees who did not believe in life after death, that there was indeed a life hereafter. If they did not wish to be judged, they had better repent like the Ninevites of old. If Jonah had to be taken seriously, what more the greater Jonah who was then there.
 
THOUGHT: “Pride is the mother of all contempt of God.” (Calvin)

PRAYER: Father, take away all pride and arrogance in me.

Search