"Do You Need a Sign in Order to Believe?"

 N.T.#569 "Do You Need a Sign in Order to Believe?"

June 12, 2025 

Luke 11-Part 7

And when the people were gathered thick together, He began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. (verse 29) 

LET IT GLOW

What word is repeated in this key verse? This group of people which Jesus encountered want a sign. (It is used 5 times in this chapter.)

In the Greek language, sign means indication; miracle; wonder. 

It was like a token of heavenly assurance that Jesus would indeed win. They wanted to enjoy all the benefits of the kingdom without having to risk life, limb, or even their own comfort. Some followed Jesus for what they might gain. Some were uncommitted because they wanted assurance. Some had their own ideas of how the King should rule and how His kingdom should be like.

Jesus called this generation an evil generation.

Evil means wicked; sinners; vicious; guilt.

Jesus used two examples from their history in which Gentile people of questionable character responded correctly to the Word of God without any visible assurances:

First was Jonah preaching to the wicked Ninevites, who repented of their sins. Jonah performed no miracles. (verse 30)

Secondly, the queen of the south traveled to hear Solomon's God-given wisdom. He offered no heavenly signs.  (verse 31)

Yet the crowd's sin blinded them to the miracles Jesus performed, the wisdom in His teachings, and His perfectionism as the Messiah sent from God. They needed more proof? These two examples of faith and righteousness on the part of Gentile pagans must have sent the Pharisees into a rage.

[Resources: Swindoll's Living Insights on Luke; The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW

What can we take home from this? Salvation is not only for Jews but for Gentiles, too. Jesus would die and rise after 3 days, just as the prophet Jonah was rescued after 3 days in the belly of the great fish. There were eyewitnesses as to seeing the Risen Savior. The Perfect Son of God came to the people He dearly love, yet they rejected Him. 

Will you accept Jesus as your Savior or reject Him? 

LET IT GO

Fill us with Your love, joy, peace, forgiveness so we can treat others with the same.

Glory to God in the Highest!