Matthew 16:1-4 - Looking for Signs

Hello and welcome to the Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha. Today we will reflect on Matthew 16:1-4. Listen.

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 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. A 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.

If the Pharisees weren't so wrongly motivated, we might almost sympathize with them. After all, we, too, look for signs. But the Pharisees weren't asking for a sign so they could believe in Jesus. They asked for a sign so they could trap him. If he worked a miracle, they could accuse him of blasphemy. If he didn’t, they could accuse him of being a false prophet. 

Besides, Jesus had already given them signs. If his awesome preaching was not enough, his miraculous multiplication of a few fish and loaves to feed thousands should have. But, they weren't looking to believe; they were looking to condemn, and no matter what Jesus did, nothing would have changed their minds about him. This is what being hard-hearted is. So many of us are the same way. 

Our God is a God who reveals himself when sought. I often tell people who are confused about the existence of God or unsure about which one he is in a pantheon of gods to tell him to show himself because I know he does. Not only have I seen the truth of this in my life, but I have also seen thousands of people experience him when they open their hearts to the truth of his reality. The key to this is truly seeking him with an open heart.

However, many don't want to believe in the existence of God because it results in a change of mind — and that isn't easy because it means admitting that we have been wrong. It results in a change of heart — which isn't easy either because I suspect many of us like the freedom to desire whatever we want. And it results in a change of life — perhaps the hardest because we don't want to change how we live.

But if we are open-minded (this is the scientific way, right, to be open-minded?) and open-hearted, let’s go ahead and tell God to reveal himself. And ask him to tell us his name while he is at it. Scripture says, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" (Deuteronomy 6:16), but this is doing what the Jews did: asking him to prove himself. When the apostle Thomas, who knew Jesus asked for a sign, Jesus let him put his hand into his side. Thomas immediately confessed, "My Lord and my God!" 

All said I would like to leave you with the words of Jesus to Thomas in conclusion, "You have believed because you have seen me; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

May the Spirit be with you.