A WICKED AND FAITHLESS GENERATION
“A wicked and faithless generation are eager for a sign; but none shall be given to them except the sign of Jonah.” and He left them and went away.” (Matthew 16:4 WNT)
After the Lord Jesus Christ had miraculously fed four thousand hungry men, besides women and children, with seven loaves and the fish, the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus, asking that He would show them a sign from heaven that He was indeed the Messiah. But Jesus would not gratify their desire for signs. Apparently, the miraculous works of Jesus recorded in the Bible amply confirm and testify to the truth that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of God. They are undoubtedly sufficient evidence for anyone to believe in the Lord Jesus, and through believing receive everlasting life in His name. Many prophets of old had to perform great signs and wonders before the people to authenticate their calling, ministry, or message. They had to prove or demonstrate to the unbelieving people that they were truly sent by God.
Why then would the Lord Jesus not perform any sign or wonder to authenticate His person and ministry when the religious leaders requested a sign from Him so that they may believe in Him? First, the Lord Jesus refused to perform any new sign for His skeptics to believe or receive Him as their Messiah because they already had ample signs to believe that He was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God, yet they choose not to believe or receive Him. Besides the prophecies and miraculous signs given by the prophets of old to prove to the people that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God, God the Father also spoke clearly from the heavens to confirm that Jesus Christ was indeed His Beloved Son. Nevertheless, the Jews as a nation would not believe or receive Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their Messiah. Therefore, when the faithless Jewish religious leaders asked Jesus for another sign to prove that He was indeed the Son of God, He bluntly refused. Because the Lord knew that no new sign or wonder will cure their unbelief, or melt the hardness of their hearts! Secondly, the Lord Jesus would not grant the request of the wicked and faithless generation for signs because He did not want their faith to be based on miraculous signs, but on God’s Word alone. The Word of God is the only tried, tested, firm and sure foundation for a victorious Christian life!
Lastly, Jesus would not encourage seeking after signs and wonders because they could be misleading, for the devil and his agents can also perform great signs and wonders. The Scripture sternly warns that in the last days many false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to deceive people that are eagerly seeking after signs, miracles and wonders. Beloved, it is unscriptural, unwise and dangerous to seek after miracles, signs and wonders, and to draw a general conclusion that God is present wherever and whenever you see great miracles, signs and wonders. The end-time are days of subtle deceptions! Therefore, if you seek after miracles, signs and wonders, you may end up being deceived, defrauded and dominated by false apostles and prophets transforming themselves into apostles and prophets of Christ
Liberation Thought: Don’t be deceived!
Further Reading: Matthew 16
Prayer:
O Lord help me to focus on you and not on your works, miracles and signs. Let me exalt you above the wonders you perform in my life
Every deceptive spirit that subtly lore one to give attention to mundane things I bound you in Jesus name
I receive a strong faith not to shake or waiver from the way of the Lord