“He answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.’” (Matthew 12:39)
The question, of course, is what is Jesus talking about? The people were puzzled. The three days and three nights; what could they refer too? It would seem that there would be no way the people could figure this riddle out. If Jesus meant anything other than His time in the tomb, what would that be? Jesus would make reference to His death and burial several times leading up to the actual event. Yet, the people could not comprehend. They wanted a sign, a miracle, now, that would be convincing enough to accept Him as the Messiah.
What do we ask for as proof that Jesus is who He says He is? Would a miraculous sign do it? Ironically, nothing in the miraculous realm worked for Jesus in convincing people that He was the Savior of the world. It doesn’t work for us either. Our trust in Jesus comes as a gift from the Holy Spirit. With that gift, miracles only confirm Him, as we experience Him in our lives. Yes, He is alive because He is alive in us. We are sealed with this saving faith into God’s Eternal Forever Family.
Heavenly Father, all our effort to believe in Jesus is in vain. Only You can make us truly Your children by giving us the gift of faith in Him. Your gift of faith is the true miraculous sign that transforms our lives to become Your children. Thank You for Your Word of witness through the Scriptures that brings us to this saving faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
