As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, he said, "This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah. What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to the Son of Man will be a sign to these people that he was sent by God."
—Luke 11:29-30 NLT
Jesus did not go about his ministry to provide a "proof show" for doubters or a "miracle spectacular" for the interested. For those demanding signs, there were none in response to the demands. Jesus was planting seeds in his ministry that could fully develop into "the sign of Jonah" — the ultimate sign of his death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus' resurrection is the primary and overriding sign given to people in the first century and to us. Our challenge is to continue to believe the sign of the resurrection even if we don't receive our miracle — "our sign" — in our particular problems and circumstances. Our hurdle of faith is trusting in Jesus when all looks hopeless and the miracles we desire do not happen before our eyes or at the time we want. If we must have an individual "miraculous sign" to believe, we need to know that we have the cart before the horse. Let's believe, trusting that what Jesus promised [1] is just as true as God's promise was to send him!
[1] Luke 24:35-49; Acts 1:7-8; John 14:15-23.
Father, I believe, but sometimes in the middle of my most difficult trials, I need help to have a stronger and more stable faith. I believe, but help my unbelief! Through your Spirit, please give me the courage to walk in faith in moments of crisis, trial, and hardship, trusting that even if I do not receive my earthly miracle, I can know I will receive my heavenly one. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Luke 11:29-30 NLT
Key Thought
Jesus did not go about his ministry to provide a "proof show" for doubters or a "miracle spectacular" for the interested. For those demanding signs, there were none in response to the demands. Jesus was planting seeds in his ministry that could fully develop into "the sign of Jonah" — the ultimate sign of his death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus' resurrection is the primary and overriding sign given to people in the first century and to us. Our challenge is to continue to believe the sign of the resurrection even if we don't receive our miracle — "our sign" — in our particular problems and circumstances. Our hurdle of faith is trusting in Jesus when all looks hopeless and the miracles we desire do not happen before our eyes or at the time we want. If we must have an individual "miraculous sign" to believe, we need to know that we have the cart before the horse. Let's believe, trusting that what Jesus promised [1] is just as true as God's promise was to send him!
[1] Luke 24:35-49; Acts 1:7-8; John 14:15-23.
Today's Prayer
Father, I believe, but sometimes in the middle of my most difficult trials, I need help to have a stronger and more stable faith. I believe, but help my unbelief! Through your Spirit, please give me the courage to walk in faith in moments of crisis, trial, and hardship, trusting that even if I do not receive my earthly miracle, I can know I will receive my heavenly one. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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