Trust Without a Sign

1The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

2He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3and 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.^a 4A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away. (Mathew 16:1-4)

Thoughts: This was the second time Matthew records the religious leaders asked for a sign (Mt. 12:39).  Both times Jesus says no more signs than what he was doing but promised the sign of Jonah- rising up from the belly of death.
      Jesus also spoke of the weather signs.  He seemed to be insinuating that they people should be able to look around at their environment and see the need for a Messiah.  But to add to this, Jesus had already done many signs- healing the sick, the deaf, the lepers, and others.  Such signs, prophesied by Isaiah, were indications the Messiah had come adn tith Him the presence of God.
       In many ways, Jesus was simply asking the people to trust in Him without some kind of supernatural sign.  It is the same today.  We are called to believe in God whether an answered prayer happens or not.  We are called to "Trust God Period."  Not "I will trust God is He does this for me, or answers this prayer for me."  Jesus would like for us to trust in His sign of the resurrection- it is our hope and our link to eternal life.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in you with all my heart- not relying on any miracle or superstitious sign.