Seeking Signs

 Luke 11: 29-32

The Sign of Jonah

²⁹ As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. ³⁰ For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. ³¹ The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. ³² The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.

Seeking signs seems part of the human fabric. Ancient peoples had their "seers", fortune tellers still make a living, and election predictions continue to lure and fascinate readers. In this passage, Jesus expresses his impatience with "this wicked" sign-seeking generation. We all seek some assurance and guidance when making decisions, true, and a commendable practice at that, but to have such certainty that faith no longer plays a role, is seeking too much. There needs to be leeway for faith and trust which will bring us closer to one another and to God, something that seems to be slipping from our thinking and behaving.  THE sign is Jesus himself.  Can we do any better? What more do we want when we have his life and words to guide us?  What we need to do is spend more time with him to receive his "blessed assurance."  Begin now!

Bro. Rene