Most miraculous of signs: Matt. 16:4

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A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given except the sign of Jonah.
I have been spending too much time talking about the law lately. Do this. Do that. You gotta do this. You gotta do that. And while it's all true, there is good news, the true Gospel: We have the sign of Jonah, the miracle of miracles, the greatest sign of God's love for us.

This verse, or actually a very similar one, caught my eye yesterday. Right after Matthew records Jesus healing many more sick, including a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute (Matt. 12:22), the Pharisees came to our Lord and demanded a miraculous sign. And so Jesus responds by reminding a "wicked and adulterous nation" (Matt. 12:39; 16:4), in other words the unfaithful, that they will get their sign in due time: The greatest sign of all-time will be the slaughtered innocent lamb of God raising himself from the grave.

Hear the good news of the Gospel again: "Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven," Jesus declared (Matt. 12:31). When you see that cross, remember what Jesus said. "Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven," except unbelief.

Believe, Jesus cries out. Believe and be saved, just like Ninevah (Jonah 3:10). Listen to the Lord, who calls on us, just like Jonah, to love your enemies, like the Ninevites. Hear God's word and believe (Jonah 3:5).

In Matthew 16, Jesus is again calling us to be faithful to his Word, that is to love the Lord God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbors. He is calling us to look to the cross and remember how he fulfilled the Law for us, and then took the punishment of those who believe and trust him (Luke 24:46).

He died for you! 

Now don't forget the sign of Jonah: For three days, like Jonah (Jonah 1:17), Jesus was in the belly of the earth, and on that third day, he raised himself from the dead!
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
Psalm 16:9-10
Praise be to God. Jesus has overcome sin for us.

Now hear the Word, so that you too may believe (John 20:31).

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