Signs for the Sincere and Insincere

Signs for the Sincere and Insincere
Staying

Matthew 16:1-4
The Pharisees and Sadducees came up and testing Jesus, asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to discern the appearance of the sky but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.

It is o.k. to ask God to give us an indication or sign as we honestly seek His direction. Jesus loves to give signs to those who want to follow.

His very birth was a sign to the shepherds –
This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
(Luke 2:12)
His multiplication of the bread to the multitudes let them know who He was –
When the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.
(John 6:14)
Jesus explained the signs of the times to His disciples in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. He explained to them when they could expect certain things to happen by paying attention to the signs.

Conversely, the religious rulers asked Jesus for “signs from heaven” when the signs were already just as evident as the signs in the skies that foretold the weather. They asked for signs that would indicate who Jesus really was when the evidence was already clear. They did not intend to believe; they only intended to find evidence to not believe. Jesus understood their intent.

Jesus often spoke in parables not only to illustrate His message visually but also to hide the meaning of His teaching from insincere inquirers who would misuse His words. Parables require further scrutiny and a desire to understand. Therefore, parables separated the sincere from the insincere, because

The insincere were not serious. They would not persevere in their search, and
The insincere were proud. Their clouded hearts could not discern the parable’s true meaning.

Jesus instructed His disciples not to “cast their pearls to the swine.” (Matthew 7:6) Think for a moment about taking your favorite jewelry or your most precious possession to the nearest pig farm and flinging it into the pen thinking it would be appreciated by the pigs! Wouldn’t that be foolish? Yes, the precious treasure would be covered in mud and destroyed. In the same way, precious words should not be wasted on insincere hearts.

Lord, we seek You. Purify our hearts from wrong motives. You said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” We desire to see You clearly and hear You plainly. Help us receive with thankful hearts the evidence You have already given. Reveal your secrets to us, the truth that is so dear to Your heart. Cleanse us from bad habits that cloud our hearts and minds from seeing the beautiful signs of Your guidance and love.

David wrote, The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant. (Psalm 25:14)