"The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired Him that He would show them a sign from heaven." Matthew 16:1 Our pastor said recently in a study of Exodus, "People who ask for signs and miracles are never satisfied. Visible manifestation makes sinful man crave more. Signs do not generate mature faith. Signs do not generate holiness."
Matthew Poole, commentator from the 17th century, said, about Jesus' answer to these Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:2-3): "You can, saith our Savior, make observations upon the works of God in nature and common providence, and from such observations, you can make conclusions...but 'you cannot discern the signs of the times?': You are only dull at making observations upon the Scriptures and the will of God revealed in them concerning Me. ...you come and ask a sign, that you might believe in Me, when you have so many, and yet will not believe."
Later on in the commentary, Mr. Poole, expounds Jesus words through a parable in chapter twenty-one: "The Pharisees were a people highly pretending obedience to the law of God, and making a great show of religion...but though they heard His doctrine, saw His conversation, and saw others repent and own Christ, yet were so far from believing, that they would not repent, that they might believe; they would not be awakened to any sense of their sinful courses, nor amend anything of their former ways, that they might receive Christ and embrace His righteousness and salvation."
Conclusions? Their "sign" was living right there among them and performing every lesson He taught by living it out. This Life should have convicted them but they were blind to their own neediness and too proud of their own works. Repent, believe, obey! This is the essence of our response to the "signs" God has given. To determine any other means to a life in Christ is no life at all. To crave any other sign than that of the inspired Word of God is a dissatisfaction that will never be fulfilled. "He has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him." 2 Peter 1:3
