_SEEKING AFTER A SIGN
_Matt 12:38-39, Matt 16:1-4,
Mark 8:11-15, Luke 11:15-20
I've been amazed at how often the phrase "seeking after a sign" has been
used to cool down revival fires. Many have felt the sting of condemnation
as the above scriptures have been used as an open rebuke. Because the
verses are usually quoted out of context, one could easily misunderstand
the meaning. At the beginning of each of these passages you may notice that
Jesus is encountering the Pharisees and Sadducees. They are requesting from
Him a "sign from heaven". The key to the meaning of the passage is in this
phrase. A "sign from heaven" would be our modern day equivalent to astrology
or divination. This explains why Jesus called them "an adulterous generation"
and that no sign would be given but that of the prophet Jonah. The response
had dual implications, as was typical of Jesus' declarations. On one hand He
was reminding them of the references in scripture (below) concerning spiritual
adultery and the raising up a prophet to speak to the people. But most importantly
He was using the reference to Jonah's three days confinement as being a picture
of what He himself would suffer, three days confined in a tomb before His resurrection.
It was not unusual to find a mixture of the occult and the worship of Yahweh
all throughout Israel's history (Ezekiel 20:30-31; 2 Kings 23:4-27; 2 Kings
21:3-15; 2 Chronicles 33:3-17; Deut 18:9-15). In context, it's very clear
that Jesus was addressing generations of unfaithfulness in those called to
shepherd His flock. Ezekiel chapter 34 is God's heart cry of deliverance for
His people. Jesus walked perfectly in the Father's divine Spirit of Love and
care for the flock. For those who loved Him and sought after Him, they witnessed
miraculous "signs" whenever they were in His presence. If you love Him and
are seeking after Him with your whole heart, so will you!
John 14:10-13
The words that I tell you, I speak not from Myself; but the
Father who lives in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in
the Father, and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the
very works' sake. Most assuredly I tell you, he who believes
in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works
than these will he do; because I am going to my Father.
Whatever you will ask in My name, that will I do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Matthew 12:31
Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy
will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against
the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
Luke 12:10
And anyone who speaks a word against the
Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to
him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit,
it will not be forgiven.
Feb 9, 2002
Mark 8:11-15, Luke 11:15-20
I've been amazed at how often the phrase "seeking after a sign" has been
used to cool down revival fires. Many have felt the sting of condemnation
as the above scriptures have been used as an open rebuke. Because the
verses are usually quoted out of context, one could easily misunderstand
the meaning. At the beginning of each of these passages you may notice that
Jesus is encountering the Pharisees and Sadducees. They are requesting from
Him a "sign from heaven". The key to the meaning of the passage is in this
phrase. A "sign from heaven" would be our modern day equivalent to astrology
or divination. This explains why Jesus called them "an adulterous generation"
and that no sign would be given but that of the prophet Jonah. The response
had dual implications, as was typical of Jesus' declarations. On one hand He
was reminding them of the references in scripture (below) concerning spiritual
adultery and the raising up a prophet to speak to the people. But most importantly
He was using the reference to Jonah's three days confinement as being a picture
of what He himself would suffer, three days confined in a tomb before His resurrection.
It was not unusual to find a mixture of the occult and the worship of Yahweh
all throughout Israel's history (Ezekiel 20:30-31; 2 Kings 23:4-27; 2 Kings
21:3-15; 2 Chronicles 33:3-17; Deut 18:9-15). In context, it's very clear
that Jesus was addressing generations of unfaithfulness in those called to
shepherd His flock. Ezekiel chapter 34 is God's heart cry of deliverance for
His people. Jesus walked perfectly in the Father's divine Spirit of Love and
care for the flock. For those who loved Him and sought after Him, they witnessed
miraculous "signs" whenever they were in His presence. If you love Him and
are seeking after Him with your whole heart, so will you!
John 14:10-13
The words that I tell you, I speak not from Myself; but the
Father who lives in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in
the Father, and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the
very works' sake. Most assuredly I tell you, he who believes
in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works
than these will he do; because I am going to my Father.
Whatever you will ask in My name, that will I do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Matthew 12:31
Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy
will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against
the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
Luke 12:10
And anyone who speaks a word against the
Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to
him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit,
it will not be forgiven.
Feb 9, 2002