meditation

11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him.
12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation."
13 And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.

Why does this generation seek a sign?” (Mark 8:12)

Some people are never satisfied, are they? If you invite them over for dinner, they will wonder why you offered only one dessert instead of two. If you got a 95 percent on a test, they will ask why it wasn’t a perfect one hundred. If you finish your report at work on time, they will expect you to beat the dead­line the next time. You simply can’t please them.

This is one way of looking at the Pharisees who came to Jesus ask­ing for a sign to validate his min­istry. Hadn’t they seen enough already? What about all the diseases he healed and all the demons he cast out? What about the way he mirac­ulously fed thousands, or calmed a dangerous storm on the lake? Would they never be satisfied?

Finally, Jesus sighed deeply and said there would be no more signs. No more big public displays. From now on, his healings would be inti­mate affairs, taking place quietly and apart from the crowds. And there would be far fewer of them as well. He had done all he needed to do in order to prove himself. Now it was a question of whether the people would believe him and listen to his teachings. After all, that’s what the miracles were for: to point beyond themselves to Jesus and his mission.

The same is true for us. Jesus gives us signs every day and in many different ways. Some are very dramatic, like unexpected heal­ings, but many are more ordinary, like a beautiful sunrise or a word of encouragement from a friend. But whatever these signs are, they are enticements. They are meant to spark us to seek Jesus, the giver of the gifts, so that we can find the full healing that his salvation brings— the healing of our souls along with our bodies.

What signs will the Lord give you today? Keep your eyes and ears open, and you will undoubt­edly find a great many of them. But don’t stop at the sign! When one comes along, accept it gratefully—of course!—but also take it for what it is. It’s pointing you to Jesus. So turn to him, and let him speak his words of wisdom and love to you!

“Holy Spirit, open my eyes today. I want to see Jesus in every sign he gives me!”

James 1:1-11;