March 16 – Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

Matthew 16; Numbers 1-2; Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

“He replied, ‘When evening comes, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,” and in the morning, “Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ Jesus then left them and went away.” (Matthew 16:2-4 NKJV)

These verses struck me because I’ve been looking at the signs of the weather a whole lot recently. My daughter is planning an outdoor wedding, and we’ve been checking the weather reports quite a bit. While our prediction tools are a bit more sophisticated, and we don’t even check the signs ourselves, we check the weather reports online: and the reports don’t look too good. Jesus reminded the Pharisees that they knew a lot about upcoming weather just by the colors of the sky. We have a more modern version of the saying that Jesus used: “Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning; red sky at night, sailor’s delight. The problem was that even though they could read the signs that told them about the weather, they couldn’t understand the signs that God was working among them, and that the signs pointed to Jesus. He promised them one last sign, the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days, Jesus would be in the grave for three days, then rise again. Even with this message, the Pharisees couldn’t understand the truth when Jesus died and rose again after three days.

We’ve gotten more adept at reading all kinds of signs in the world. Not only can we do a pretty good job of predicting the weather a week ahead of time, we can predict business swings, elections, and sporting events with a pretty good reliability. Sadly, we haven’t gotten better about understanding the signs that point us to God. God reminds us of the resurrection in many ways throughout the years. He also shows us His love and grace in the kind actions of others. Still, we seek signs, hoping that God will reveal something to us that’s new and different. Today, recognize God speaking to you in the actions of others. Today, show others God’s love and grace by being an example.

Lord, open my eyes today. Let me see Your goodness and grace as others show Your love. Let me be an example of Your goodness and grace to others.

About rockyfort

I am a retired Middle School Teacher. I share each day what God is teaching me from reading His word hoping that people can benefit from reading what God has taught me.

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