God Give Me a sign

God Give Me a Sign!

That's is what the religious leaders demanded of Jesus during his physical time on earth.  The crazy thing is that Jesus had already been performing miracles.  He healed the sick, raised the dead, made the lame to walk, the blind to see, healed the demon possessed, fed the multitudes with few loaves of bread a a few fish twice, he walked on water and calmed a storm.  All these miracles were confirmed by multitudes of people and their first hand testimonies.  After all that Jesus had already done to justify That He is in fact the son of God, the religious leaders still were not satisfied. 

Why were they not satisfied?  Perhaps because they had not benefited directly by the miracles Jesus had already performed.  In fact the miracles performed had taken away from the religious leaders because they were losing followers.  

Jesus did not come just to perform miracles as if He were a genie in a bottle.  He never proclaimed "Your wish is my command."  No, Jesus made it clear that He was ultimately here to save us from the consequences of sin.  The ultimate miracle is salvation.  The miracle of His death and resurrection from death in Hell in order that He can extend his hand of mercy and grace as evidenced by salvation.  His mercy to spare us the harm and punishment to justly deserve.  His grace to give us what we do not deserve and can not earn, eternal life.  

If Jesus had given the religious leaders the sign they desired it would only have satisfied their sinful desires.  What sign would they have asked for? I can't help but believe that it would have been for selfish gain.  All the other signs that they had been aware of and witnessed were obviously not good enough.

Jesus's reply was basically this; "you are wicked at heart, I will not give you the sign you desire, but their will be a sign that you can accept or reject.  The sign of Jonah, my death and resurrection. Take it or leave to, it's your choice."  

Jesus was more concerned about our eternal needs before our temporary.  If meeting our temporary needs meant our eternal would be compromised then temporary was withheld.  Jesus did not want people to accept Him and worship Him because of what He could do in this world, He wants people to love Him and accept Him for what is eternal.  

The greatest sign, the ultimate miracle is a new life in Christ an eternal life.  So do we as Christians accept Christ as Lord at His word and life testimony and hope only to experience Him after our death? No.  As if the miracle of salvation is not enough in itself, Jesus Christ fills us with the Holy Spirit here in this world.  The gift of the Holy Spirit is the most tangible miracle anyone can receive here in this life long before death comes knocking on your door.

The spirit affirms with our spirit that God is real.  The Holy Spirit offers gifts that surpass understanding.  Gifts like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  The Holy Spirit delivers hope.  The Holy Spirit reveals meaning and purpose. The Holy Spirit guides us in life down the path of God's desires.  The Holy Spirit is not a temporary a emotional high or experience.  The Holy Spirit is the unyielding, persevering, persistent presence of the living God residing right inside your heart and soul.  There is no greater miracle in this world than the gift of the Holy Spirit when one accepts Jesus Christ as Lord.

Matthew 16:1-4 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 miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.

Romans 8:13-16 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ""Abba," Father."16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

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