They asked Jesus for a sign, something to prove that he had God’s endorsement. By asking for a sign, they were rejecting all the miracles that Jesus had already performed. It’s as if they were saying, “We know that you’ve performed miracles, but we want a sign from heaven. We want a different kind of miracle, our kind of miracle!”
What kind of miracles had Jesus already shown them? He healed the sick, cast out demons, calmed a storm, fed the hungry, and raised the dead. When he was baptized God spoke from heaven and his Holy Spirit came down on Jesus like a dove. What more do they want?
Jesus’ miracles would never be enough for those with hard hearts. But they were more than enough for those with open hearts hungry for God’s healing power. Jesus’ miracles are signs pointing toward God’s plan for eternity, previews of heaven. When he fed more than 5,000 people with barely enough food for one, he was previewing God’s kingdom. There will be no food stamps in heaven. Hunger will finally be wiped out.
When Jesus healed a man who could not hear or talk, and when he healed all kinds of other illnesses with simply a touch or a word, he was previewing God’s kingdom. No healthcare premiums or trips to clinics or hospitals in heaven. Sickness will be no more.
When Jesus forgave people their sins, he was previewing God’s kingdom. There will be no temptation or disobedience in heaven. Guilt will be gone. Everyone’s conscience will be clear.
When Jesus cast out the legion of demons from the man living in the cemetery, he was previewing God’s kingdom. Satan and his demons will not bother us in heaven. There will be no rebellion, no evil, no police departments, no prisons or jails.
When Jesus calmed the storm with his simple rebuke, he was previewing God’s kingdom. There will be no natural disasters in heaven, no need for insurance policies or FEMA.
And when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, he was previewing one of the greatest things of all about God’s kingdom. There will be no cemeteries in heaven. Nobody will die. No funerals to attend!
Of course, Jesus himself walked away from his tomb after giving his life on the cross. What greater sign could there be?
Why couldn’t they see God’s hand at work in Jesus? Their personal agenda blinded them from God’s greater plan. Jesus came to rescue them from Satan. They wanted to be rescued from the Roman Empire. Jesus died to forgive their sins once for all. They were content with their animal sacrifices. Jesus arose from the dead to give them new life. They were already impressed with the lives they were living.
Jesus’ miracles are previews of God’s promises about heaven. In this world, we live in a sort of preview of both heaven and hell, God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.
We don’t have all the goodness of heaven yet. People still get sick and die. Bad things still happen to good people. But as bad as things can be on this old earth, it’s not hell. And as good as it may sometimes get, it’s still not heaven.
Each of us must choose our allegiance, our loyalty. Do we want to spend eternity with more of what’s good in this creation or with more of what’s wrong with this creation?
When Jesus returns he will separate everyone according to that choice, like sheep from goats—some bound for heaven, and others for hell.
May we see the signs that God is giving us, and choose to follow the Savior he sent,
Brother Richard
brotherrichardsblog.com 