Woody Allen, a self-described atheist once said about God, “If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss Bank.” Are you waiting for a sign? In an attempt to test Jesus, the Pharisees and Sadducees demanded an immediate miraculous sign from Jesus. Jesus did not take the bait. He did not enter the world to become an entertainer or magician, but a Savior of sinners.
Jesus pointed out that we sometimes overestimate our ability to discern signs when we see them. We are as one pastor said, “Weather-wise, but otherwise not so much.” Think of Doppler radar and the incredible advances in predicting the weather. Lives are being saved. But Jesus said, “Even though you can forecast weather you can’t read the signs of God’s work in the world."
Years ago we watched a movie about a young woman who was dying and hoped for a miracle. Eventually many of her wishes came true before she died. Her husband pondered why she never received her miracle. But her preacher-dad (I love this story) said to the young man, “But you are her miracle. Your life was changed.” Jesus only promises us the sign of Jonah who was in the belly of the whale for three days and then emerged alive. So Jesus would be in the tomb, but on the third day rise from the dead. If you are looking for a sign, look no further. “An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.”
