Matthew 16: The Sign Of Jonah
Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.
Matthew 16:1-4 (NKJV)
At key times in the ministry of Christ, including His agony on The Cross, Israel's top spiritual leaders challenged Jesus to prove Himself to them.
Like demanding diners to a waiter, they requested “a la carte” miracles: asking Him to perform at their command.
Although the King of kings came to help us, He maintains the right to serve as God wills. His selective service criteria include faith, need, pluck, and humility. Thus, miracles happen AS GOD ORDAINS
However, the sign of resurrection (miraculously rising to new life after being entombed for three long days)...
Was previewed by Jonah in a great fish and mastered by Jesus in a dark cave. Both resurrections offered salvation, for even the worst sinners who believe.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
If Christ called His generation wicked, if our generation is no better, and adultery is MORE commonplace, then consider two spiritual truths:
Jesus, the Bridegroom, to Whom you're betrothed, expands adultery’s definition… to us loving anything more than Him. Anything includes our families, friends, food, wealth, work, sports, homes, hobbies, or comforts. If you feel guilty, repent right away. If your inner circle is guilty, too, then consider a new inner circle. Until you do, don't expect miracles.
Scoffers can dampen spiritual fires, including the passion, purpose, and paths that God gives specifically to us. These naysaying religious hypocrites push us toward burying our talents! Why? When saints multiply their gifts and talents to reflect our King’s radiant glory, the dull crustiness of Christian phonies will be evident in comparison.
With these truths noted, the sign of Jonah is a God-delivery miracle just waiting for the faithful to believe.
Matthew 16: The Sign Of Jonah (Part 3)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!