Sign Seekers

Matthew 12:38

Then certain of the Scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, “Master, we would see a sign from thee.”

What a noble and honorable statement for the Scribes and Pharisees to make. They asked Jesus to show them a sign that He really was the Son of God. After all, they wanted to be sure that they weren’t being misled. That seems good doesn’t it?

Well, Jesus didn’t think so. He was not impressed by their seeming interest in whether or not He really was the son of God. They really did not want to know the truth, they were trying to disprove the very fact that they ask Jesus to prove.

Jesus answered them with a very stinging statement. He said that an evil and adulterous generation seeks after signs. I wonder how often we have done the same or similar things in our lives? Have you ever said, “Lord if this is you, give me a sign or miracle to prove that You are really the one who is speaking to me?”

The thing that is wrong with that type of mentality is that it takes faith out of the picture. We all know that the Bible says that if it is not of faith then it is sin. Those who are always seeking a sign to prove God are never very steady. They are not very trustworthy and are certainly not very faithful as Christians. They are saying if you will show me, I will believe. Faith says I will believe and then I will see.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not talking about blindly running around doing whatever comes up and believing everything that you see or hear. It is not wrong to ask God for confirmation in your life. He wants us to be wise in the Spirit and not to be tossed back and forth by what sounds good and seems right but, His way is that we be in tune with His Spirit so that we can hear Him say to us in that still small voice, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” We don’t need a sign, we hear His voice and that is much better.