Matthew 12:38

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Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher,  we wish to see a sign from you."
I couldn't help but smile when I read this verse today. I just began another 60-day read-through of the New Testament a couple days ago; so today I was reading chapters 9 through 12. I note that only because Chapter 9, in particular, are filled with signs. Then we come to Matt 12:38. "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you," the NIV says. 

Really? Jesus responds. A miraculous sign? Really?

OK, that's my version of what he said, but you should get the picture. Hear the words:
  • But so that you know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins ..." then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." Matt 9:6
  •  Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. Matt 9:22
  •  After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. Matt 9:25
  •  Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done for you," and their sight was restored. Matt 9:29-30a
  •  And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." Matt 9:33
And of course, Jesus was just getting started. "Go back and report to John what you what you hear and see," Jesus told the disciples, "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Matt 11:4-6

It's amazing to me that the Jews didn't believe what they were seeing, what they were hearing. But ask yourself, honestly: Would you believe?

Think about this. There is a guy walking through town giving sight to the blind, healing the lame, raising the dead, doing amazing things. Would you believe that he is the Son of God? That he was Immanuel? That he was the Alpha and Omega? That he was ... God?

I want to say that had I been alive 2,000 years ago, I would believe. I really do. But as tomorrow's reading will illustrate, Jesus made it clear, they couldn't see, they couldn't hear.

Of course, it's important to note, that was then. Today you can believe. In fact, today if you believe without having seen, you are blessed. God has spoken to you. God has chosen you. God's Word has taken root in your heart. God's Spirit lives in you.

Just believe.

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