10-23-2015

Good Morning All!!

        Matthew 12:38; “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”

“Oh signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?”

At least that is what the “Five Man Electrical Band” wondered in their mid-1970’s song.  “Can’t you read the sign?”  Whether we admit it or not, we look for signs.  Do you wonder what the winter will be like?  Find a wooly bear caterpillar and read the sign, brown means mild and black means harsh.  Do you wonder about the stock market?  See who wins the Super Bowl; if it is a team from the original NFL you better invest; if it is a team from the original AFL then the market will be down.  All you have to do is read the signs.

    We want signs, something that proves our thoughts or supports our beliefs.  We want to see signs of love and affection from our spouse; we want to see signs of the team we cheer for has a chance of winning.  We want to see signs that what you say is true and we want to see signs that the person we don’t like is telling a lie.  We seek signs, manufacture signs to fit our desires, cling to signs that no longer are true and go forward looking on the ground for some type of sign.

    Our verse is an example from the Bible of people demanding signs from God.  By the time that the scribes and the Pharisees were demanding signs; Jesus had already healed a paralytic man, raised a young girl from the dead, drove out demons, healed a man with a withered hand right in front of them and then they demand a sign from him.  You can almost imagine their thought process, “Jesus you have done so much, how about one more for good measure?”  We might smirk at this thought but are we any different?

     When things in your life don’t feel as smooth as you like, do you question God and wonder why he is silent or ignoring you?  Do you waffle when you visit about your faith and just wish that God would do some great sign to prove to the world that he exists?  So we demand signs.  We demand signs to have faith.  God calls us to have faith then we will see the signs.

    God has given us the greatest sign ever; he gave us the empty tomb.  Jesus conquered death and gave the victory to you.  The Apostles knew it, Paul knew it, millions of believers knew it.  They lived their lives with a peace that came from knowing that the great sign was true and was seen.  We can have that same peace.  Believe in the sign; have faith that Jesus died for us and rose again victorious over death.  Have faith and you will see the signs.

Father, forgive my failures to trust in your Word.  You have given me the mercy that I do not deserve.  Strengthen my faith that I may know of your peace.  Strengthen my faith that I may always know the comfort of your Spirit.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret