“A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed” (Matthew 16:4).
TEXT — Matthew 16:1-12
Message
A truck driver was taking his load to a new destination. As he drove, he was watching the signs leading to his exit. In his effort to find the right exit, he missed the signs warning him of a low overpass ahead. To his astonishment, his truck became stuck under the overpass. He could not go forward and he could not back up. Traffic began to pile up behind him, and tempers began to flare. It took a long time before the truck could pull out.
Our passage focuses on the sign-seeking Israelites. They wanted Christ to show them a sign from heaven before they would believe Him. Jesus replied that a sign had already been given through Prophet Jonah, who spent three days and nights in the whale’s belly. Jesus started impressing upon His listeners that He would be crucified and buried, but would rise on the third day from the dead. He warned the disciples against the leaven of the religious scribes and Pharisees. This was misunderstood by the disciples initially, but Jesus later clarified and warned them against the damnable doctrines of the religious leaders of Israel.
The greatest sign of Christ’s incarnation was his death and resurrection. He said previously in His teachings that as Jonah spent three days and nights in the whale’s belly, so must the Son of man be buried, but would resurrect to life thereafter. This represents the greatest sign because it focuses on the most crucial aspect of Christ’s ministry – His death and resurrection to redeem mankind.
Like the truck driver, some often seek signs that they think are important. They are waiting for a greater sign to convince them before they can believe. Some folks will say, ‘I am waiting for God Himself to speak to me, or an angel from heaven to be sent to me’, when He has already spoken expressly in the Scriptures. Stop waiting for a new sign while you lose sight of a greater one which is already given.
Thought for the day
Sign seekers remain spectators and never achievers.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
Pastor W.F. Kumuyi is a blessing to our generation and generations yet to come because the generations yet to come when they eventually come, if Jesus tarries, will read of his great exploits. I am enamored of his undiluted scriptural messages. His messages challenges you and makes you to be conscious of making heaven your goal. His standard is worth emulating. May God continue to multiple his grace and anointing upon his life and ministry in Jesus name, Amen.
Thank you for your dogged resolution to lay your your hands on the plough with turn back to folly. Your stern decision have led to conversion of multidue of soul being added to the church such as to be saved to eternal life. God bless you.
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Awesome passage
Pastor W.F. Kumuyi is a blessing to our generation and generations yet to come because the generations yet to come when they eventually come, if Jesus tarries, will read of his great exploits. I am enamored of his undiluted scriptural messages. His messages challenges you and makes you to be conscious of making heaven your goal. His standard is worth emulating. May God continue to multiple his grace and anointing upon his life and ministry in Jesus name, Amen.
Thank you for your dogged resolution to lay your your hands on the plough with turn back to folly. Your stern decision have led to conversion of multidue of soul being added to the church such as to be saved to eternal life. God bless you.