Matthew 12:38-42

Matthew 12:38-42

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees replied to Him while saying, “Teacher, we desire to see a sign from you.”  But the one who answered said to them, “And evil and wicked generation desires to experience a sign, and a sign will not be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a large sea monster, the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.  Ninevite men will stand up in the judgment with this generation and pronounce a judgment upon it because they repented into the preaching of Jonah.  And behold, one greater than Jonah is here!  A queen of the south will be raised up in judgment with this generation and pronounce judgment upon it because she came out of the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.  And behold, one greater than Solomon is here!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Isn’t it really interesting that the Jews come and ask for a sign?  In fact, in 1 Corinthians 1:22 Paul tells us that “Jews ask for a sign.”  I’ve also experienced that Christians often ask for a sign.  In fact, I think that occasionally it is the people who claim to know God that demand the most miraculous things!  It is almost as though in order for us to believe that God could speak through someone that they have to do something astoundingly incredible!  It is sad how people who should understand the concept of faith the most often seem to be the least likely to lean upon faith.

Do you ever find yourself wishing for a sign from God from time to time?  Why is this a bad path to go down? 

Second Thought:

To push this point further, Jesus even turns around to the Jews and tells them point blank that the people who demand a sign from God are an “evil and wicked generation.”  Those are not flattering words that Jesus uses to describe those who want a sign!  Again, what makes us evil and wicked when we want a sign is because it inherently shows a lack of a willingness to rely on faith.  I think we all know that it is human nature to want a sign.  But human nature is evil and wicked.  God calls us to rise up above our human nature.  God wants us to lean on and desire faith, not that which our own human nature demands.

In those moments when you want a sign, do you ever consider that desire to be evil and wicked?  How can you remember to be content in faith without needing a sign?

Third Thought:

Jesus wraps up this section by talking about two examples of people who heard God’s wisdom and approved of it.  The people of Nineveh were about to experience God’s wrath, and they repented!  God relented because they were willing to act upon faith that they heard.  Jonah didn’t do any incredible sign among them.  The people of Nineveh heard Jonah’s message and they were changed.  The queen of the south – the Queen of Sheba, if you will – traveled long and far to just have an opportunity to hear God’s truth through Solomon.  Here is a person dedicated to the Word of God more than the power of God.  Jesus values those who hear God and respond to His Word.  God wants us to know Him, His ways, and His truth.

Are you satisfied with the Word of God?  How quick are you to repent when confronted in word?  What makes it easy or hard to repent?

Passage for Tomorrow: Matthew 12:43-45