Bible Study Lessons … Matthew 12:38-45
Do you ever ask for signs or miracles from God in order to believe in Him? In more than one case in the New Testament, The Pharisees demand miracles from Christ not to see good, but to entrap Him. As we have learned from Matthew, it never worked!
But, there are some people who need proof for everything. They wouldn’t believe a stove burner was hot until they touched it.
If we tell something out of the ordinary, they’ll respond with; “Prove it.”.
Well, becoming a believer in Christ doesn’t work quite that way. Although we have proof from The Bible, faith is the final answer. This Bible study about Jesus explains why.
Asking for Signs from God – The Pharisees Demand Miracles from Christ
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. – Matthew 12:38-41 NASB
The Waiting is the Hardest Part
Have you ever been in a situation or circumstance where you’ve asked God for help and just wished He would send a sign to show He has heard your prayer?
Life would be much simpler if everything in God’s plan for us was crystal clear and we could see instant miracles happening before our eyes every time we prayed. Well, it’s not quite that simple.
Why Did the Pharisees Need a Sign?
As for the Pharisees, they were asking for miracles, not for the good of mankind but for the sake of proof that Jesus was who he claimed to be ( The Messiah ).
The miraculous deeds Christ had performed up until this time should have been proof enough so Jesus knew their hearts.
One more sign would be meaningless. If the religious leaders were open to believe, they would have done so already.
Should We Ask For Miracles In Order to Believe in God?
In verse 39 Jesus answered the Pharisees very clearly with;
“An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign;..”
.. so the same applies to us.
A Question of Faith
The Bible clearly gives us guidance and proof that Christ was born of Mary, lived among us, died on the cross and rose again to save us from sin.
This is the foundation of Christianity. Witnessing a miracle today would not change these facts for us. In actuality, asking for signs only serves to prove a lack of faith on our part.
The “ETV” Option
I like to watch educational TV and many times see programs where an archeological dig has discovered what might be a city in the Bible. Sometimes, others on the government channel try to disprove a miracle of the Old Testament.
This is when I remember that Christ said those who have not seen and yet believe are blessed. It worries me that many people put their faith in these television stations instead of the words from the Bible.
Instead of Looking for Signs ..
We, as Christians, need to follow in the footsteps of the faithful servants who came before us and tell others the good news about Jesus Christ instead of asking for signs to prove Gods existence.
Miracles do happen everyday within Gods plan but don’t expect them to always be obvious. The outcome might not be what we expect.
Events and answers to prayer will always come exactly when God wants them to. These answers are never wrong and they are always on time – His time!
Answered Prayers
I have covered this in another article before but it’s worth repeating. When we pray, God normally has three answers.
1. Yes
2. No
3. Wait
I believe when we are in heaven we will be saying to ourselves; “So, that’s what He meant!“.
Jesus prayed in the garden right before He was put to death; “Your will be done ..” – and so should we.
Instead of Asking for Signs & Miracles
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”1414359810″ locale=”US” src=”https://makingchristknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/41r4WCbUeL.SL160.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”105″]With myself included, trust in God with faith (not always easy), learn more about Him through The Bible, and help others to trust Him too.
This very day someone might learn about Christ through something we do or say.
Then, we’ll see the greatest miracle of all!
Love In Christ
– Bob
If you would like to discover how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16 for more information.