“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, ‘When evening comes, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,” and in the morning, “Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ Jesus then left them and went away.” (Matthew 16:1-4)
Jesus performed many miracles as “signs” so that people would believe and follow Him. So, why wouldn’t He perform a miracle for the Pharisees and Sadducees so that they might believe and be saved?
When Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), He said that if the people will not listen to Moses and the prophets they would not believe even if someone should come back from the dead. And that proved true of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus did work miracles in their presence and they heard testimony of other miracles of His. But those miracles were not enough, none would be. Even clear evidence that Jesus had risen from the dead was not enough for them.
Jesus knew their hearts and that’s why He would not show them a sign. They were not sincerely seeking truth. They were out to test and trap Jesus. Any sign He would have performed they would have explained away, because their hearts were so hard toward Him that they would not believe no matter what He did.
Jesus did work many signs that helped people believe, but they were performed for seekers, people who were open to the Lord.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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