Do we seek signs from God rather than fully trusting him?

Luke 11:29-32

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.

This passage requires a bit of unpacking to understand.

The ‘sign of Jonah’ is likely to refer to the time that Jonah is reported to have spent in the belly of a fish (three days and three nights). This sign is also symbolic for Jesus’ death and resurrection, enduring death and returning from the grave on the third day.

Additionally, you may recall that in the book of Jonah, he preaches a sermon (of sorts) to the people of Nineveh, and they repent. I think by this passage, Jesus is noting that just as the people that heard Jonah’s preaching repented, people who heard the preaching of Jesus (who is obviously greater than Jonah) should likewise repent and believe.

I take the mention of the Queen of the South (probably the Queen of Sheba) and reference to Solomon’s wisdom to again point to the greatness of Jesus. Jesus is wiser than Solomon.

Back in verse 16, we see that people of the time were pushing Jesus for some sort of sign even though they’d already seen him perform many miracles.

Are we really any different? Do we expect signs and wonders in some sort of bargain we think we can make with God before we’ll commit to him?

Head: Are we living a life that suggests we want some sort of tangible sign before we will really commit our lives to God?

Heart: Are we trusting in the wisdom of this world?

Hands: Do we need to change something in our Sunday routine to make sure we are arriving at church on time and in a state of mind ready to receive the preached word?

Prayer: Lord, thank you that Jesus is wiser than Solomon and a greater preacher than Jonah. We are sorry that we lead lives that often fail to show our trust in you. Please help us to repent and believe in the good news of Jesus.

A song to listen to: But for you who fear my name

Oliver Meehan – Living Church Creek Road