Daily Devotional for Tuesday, October 3

Jesus is Provoked

“And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation,”
Mark 8:12.

Ever remember a person sighing at you? You knew right away that you had done or perhaps said something wrong. Sighing can indicate several feelings that are the opposite of joy such as sadness, exhaustion, frustration or annoyance to name a few. 

Jesus’ sigh at the Pharisees’ request was certainly one of frustration or annoyance. He knew the intent of their hearts. They did not want to see a sign from Heaven so they might believe, but that they might tempt Him. In a sense they were mocking the miracles He had done and wanted a sign from Heaven of a more powerful miracle to prove who He was.

They had already witnessed numerous miracles and they still did not believe. The Pharisees, along with the Sadducees and scribes, had hardened hearts against the truth. Jesus did not perform miracles to show off His power, but rather He did them because He had compassion on those who needed healing, and for those who were truly seeking truth for them to believe by faith.

People have been seeking signs and wonders for centuries. Notice what Jesus said in John 4:48, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” Paul was dealing with the same thing in the days of his writings. “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:22). 

Even today there are many who claim to do signs and wonders. If you know the true gospel you will realize these are the false christs and the false prophets Jesus was talking about in Matthew 24:24.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: “For by grace are you saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Let your faith in God be what guides you and increases your belief in who He is. His salvation is sign and power enough that He is Lord and He loves you!

Karry Irizarry