Master We Would See a Sign - Matthew 12:38

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by you words you shall be condemned”, and in chapter twelve and verse thirty-eight of his book, Matthew shared how the scribes and Pharisees answered Jesus by saying, “Master, we would see a sign from you” where we read:

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered,

saying, Master, we would see a sign from you.

The verse reads, “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, ...” Matthew began with the word, “then” which means “at that time and moment” “certain” or “some ones” “of the scribes” which means “belonging to men learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, interpreters and teachers” “and of the Pharisees” or “and men who belonged to the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to OT books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life. They sought for distinction and praise by outward observance of external rites and by outward forms of piety, and such as ceremonial washings, fasting, prayers, and alms giving; and, comparatively negligent of genuine piety and prided themselves on their fancied good works” “answered” which means “began to speak”. Matthew shared how “scribes and Pharisees” began to speak to Jesus.

The verse goes on to say, “... saying, Master, we would see a sign from you.” Matthew added the word, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “Master” or “teacher”, “we would see” which means “the scribes and Pharisees desired to perceive, notice, discern and discover” “a sign” or “a mark, token or thing which is distinguished” “from you” which means “from Jesus”. Matthew shared how the “scribes and Pharisees” wanted Jesus to show them a “mark or token” such as a miracle or wonder.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the religious leaders came to Jesus and sought a “sign” from Him. Though Jesus already did many miracles in their midst, they were not convinced He was anything special. God desires for people to “believe and trust” in His Son Jesus, and whether He does a miracle or not, He is the Messiah and Son of God. Those who seek for a “sign” from Him are like the doubting “scribes and Pharisees” who do not believe in the Messiah of the living God.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus answered the scribes and Pharisees, “an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.