Weather is an easy topic (and a safe one) for most people to discuss,
isn't it? You can talk about it with most strangers that you come in contact
with, whether in line at the grocery store, at the gas station, hair salon,
wherever! Of course, this topic of weather was also discussed by Jesus
in scripture and it is what we are going to take a look at today, so open
your Bibles to Matthew 16:1-4.....
"The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him
that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be
fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul
weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can
discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall
no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left
them, and departed."
Often in times past, we've experienced a barrage of strong storms here
in Tennessee and it was necessary to keep the television on while listening
for tornado warnings. I've been reminded numerous times of this portion
of scripture while our eyes and ears were glued to the television as we
listened (with complete trust) to the weatherman tell us what was headed
our way and when it would arrive. They always seem to explain with such
confidence exactly what is going on, right down to the very second it
will happen. Amazing! Every once in a while, the kids and I would peek
out the window at the foreboding sky, searching the horizon for swirling
clouds, hoping that our eyes wouldn't play tricks on us! We were trying
to discern whether or not there was a tornado nearby.... And then I thought
- if people were as discerning about spiritual things as they are about
the weather, they would be much better off! Today men can predict the
exact arrival of a storm, but they cannot forsee impending judgement!
They know perfectly well when the temperature is going to change, but
they can't interpret the "signs of the times"! This world is blind to
what God is doing and how He is at work. They can put a man on the moon
but many still do not know how to get to Heaven! Yes, there is a great
deal of scientific knowledge that exists today, yet very little spiritual
insight or wisdom.
Looking back at those verses in Matthew, notice that the Bible says the
Pharisees came WITH the Sadducees to Jesus to seek a sign. Typically,
these two religious groups opposed one another, yet they were uniting
in a common effort for the purpose of seeing signs. Sounds like what is
going on today, amen? Various religious groups are willing to overlook
their differences to come together for a little religious "show" they
want Jesus to give them, for the purpose of being convinced that He is
in their midst. Neither one of these religious groups, the Pharisees nor
the Sadducees, really believed that Jesus was the Christ. They were simply
tempting Him for a little demonstration, for some proof that He was who
He said He was. Have you ever been guilty of doubting God's credentials?
These religious leaders were constantly asking for a sign from Christ.
In verse 4 Jesus gives them the answer to their request, "....there shall
no sign be given..."
What kind of a generation did Jesus say looks for a sign? A wicked and
adulterous one! One that has turned away from faith in Him and preferred
"proof" that He is God! What a perfect description of our generation today,
amen? Signs do not convince people of sin, signs do not bring a desire
for salvation, they prove unbelief to be present in the heart of the sign-seeker,
a spiritual blindness, an inability to discern God in the evidence He
has given this world already!
As Christians, we do the same thing to our God. We put Him to the test
because in reality, we don't trust Him! We place high performance requirements
on Him, demands for signs in our lives before we will believe that He
is God. We say things like, "I'll believe in God when I see Him do a miracle
right before my eyes." Or we say, "I'll believe you're God if you can
change my husband, otherwise, I quit this thing called Christianity."
How about, "I'll believe you are God if you heal my sick child." Ladies,
this way of thinking reveals nothing more than a heart empty of faith....
It is not the Lord who needs to "show-off" for us, it is we who need to
"show-off" our faith to Him! The Bible says in Romans 10:17, "So then
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." It's not a sign
you need, it's a good dose of the scriptures!
So then, WHY did the Lord Jesus talk about weather? To show this group
of "religious" leaders that they were hypocrites, that they were stubborn
in not acknowledging the evidence already given them, that they were spiritually
blind... What they WOULDN'T look at, they COULDN'T see! Ladies, we can
use our discussion of weather with others to share the truths of God as
we talk about the "signs" and proof of His power in nature even today.
We can plant seeds of faith in getting others to see God for who He really
is in a way they never recognized Him as God before! When people willingly
look at Him as God, then will they truly be able to see Him as God! When
you worship the true God, you'll recognize Jesus for who He is and won't
need any further signs. That is precisely what the Pharisees and Sadducees
were missing - a personal relationship with God through the Savior. Their
demand for a sign revealed the sad condition of their hearts (the condition
of many hearts today) - able to discern the sky, but unable to discern
the return of Christ and the need to prepare for judgement!
In closing, Jesus mentioned in verse 4 the sign of Jonah the prophet being
the only sign given unto this generation. What sign was this? A sign of
faith! (Mt. 12:38-41) A sign pointing to Christ! The sign given to Israel
that He was their Messiah! The very sign right under their noses these
religious people were overlooking in search for a "show".... However,
Jesus said they would not get their "show" and He left them and departed
from them. So too, when we seek Jesus in this particular manner, He wants
nothing to do with us! Ladies, the Lord Jesus Christ is not going to succumb
to the demands we place upon Him for more performance. Those demands prove
our lack of faith in Him, our stubbornness in not looking at what He has
ALREADY DONE on the cross of Calvary! Hence, He wants us to seek Him in
sincerity, not unbelief....
Matthew 13:58, "And he did not many mighty works there because of their
unbelief."
Search your hearts today, won't you, and see if there is an area of your
life where you may be placing undue requirements upon the Lord for a sign
due to a lack of trust. In what way, can you show your faith in Christ
better? What has God done in your life that you can use as a sign to others?
There are many people in this world who would still not believe in Jesus
even if they saw Him do a miracle right before their very eyes! I hope
that is not what we are waiting for before we will believe God and rest
in Him! I hope that we have not turned our eyes away from the signs He
has already given us in our lives of His power, beginning with our salvation!
To do so would be to overlook the value of Christ and His abiding presence
in exchange for a cheap spiritual "show". The sign and proof of God's
power should be in our changed lives, a sign this generation so desperately
needs to see!! If it's a sign you want, look for one in your own life....
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000
Pamela A. Iannello
