Verses 29-32 This portion is also recorded in Matthew 12:38-45. This curious crowd gathers not so much to hear Jesus’ teaching but to see his miracles being performed. Jesus knew they weren’t interested in being convinced He was the Messiah or to have their lives awakened and changed. They wanted a show. Something to talk about with their friends/family/town. A good story for gossip maybe.

Jesus condemns the crowd for demanding a sign from him. This is crazy to think they need more from Jesus. He has performed these amazing miracles and teaches with such conviction and yet the people “need/want more” to believe.

So many people today are the same way. They need to see more signs from God to believe he is real and alive and working in their lives. The miracles are all around us and in us. How in the world does our body function the way it does and keep us alive? How does our heart know to keep beating and our lungs know how to breathe in air and exhale while we sleep! We are not able to make our bodies do it. The mechanics of the body alone are a miracle. Birth is a miracle. The fact that the oceans stay within their boundaries and don’t flood this earth is a miracle. But unbelief is easier to sit with than the “unexplainable” miracles. The mind doesn’t like questions marks. We have an insatiable desire for answers. Our thoughts demand an explanation or understanding. If it doesn’t fit within our logic, we often disregard Truth for something we can understand. God is infinitely greater and works in mysterious ways outside of time and space. We were not created with the ability to understand all that is God. He alone is God. We are not.

Once while sharing a testimony of God’s amazing orchestration of events and provisions in my life, a friend said to me, “I wish God performed miracles in my life as He does for you.” I asked, “well, if He did, would you believe Him? Because I think God is performing miracles daily for you but I’m not so sure you have the eyes to see them or the ears to hear them. Or the belief to accept these miracles as God.”

Back to scripture, Jesus shares a point from two Old Testament stories. One is from Jonah, who was swallowed by a big fish when he refused to go to Nineveh, as God had asked, to warn the people that their town would be destroyed for their evil and rebellion. Jonah ran from God instead. (Jonah 1) Who wants to be that guy who is a messenger from God telling a town they will die because of their disobedience? But the fish spits Jonah out when he repents of his own rebellion that had him running from God. (Jonah 2) The Gentiles in Nineveh believed Jonah based on his word alone. Jonah didn’t perform any miracles for them. (Jonah 3:4-10)

The second story is from 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. The footnotes at the bottom of your Bible page, or along the side, may reference these scriptures. Solomon was given amazing wisdom from the Lord and the “queen of the south”, who is the Queen of Sheba, heard about it. (1 Kings 10:1; 2 Chronicles 9:1) She traveled from far away to hear Solomon’s God-given wisdom, though he too offered no heavenly signs. (1 Kings 10:4-10; 2 Chronicles 9:2-9)

How much more should the crowds believe the Son of Man who is far greater than even Jonah or Solomon? Jesus says the only sign this unbelieving crowd would receive is the sign of Jonah. Matthew 12:40 says “For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.” Keep this in mind because we know Jesus is relating this story of Jonah to his own upcoming death and resurrection. At the time, this crowd didn’t know what was to come of Jesus. So Jesus is prophesying to them through this story that He will die and be dead (buried in the heart of the earth) for three days and nights. Then He will rise again as proof that He is the Messiah. And just as the sign of Jonah leads to repentance of the Gentiles, this sign of Jesus will lead to the sharing of the gospel message, a warning to them and us, and repentance of unbelievers. And for those who do not repent and believe Jesus, they will die in ruin in their end days. Jesus is the sign to them and us.

Verses 33-36 The light of the body is the eye (v. 34), which receives the light of a candle when it is brought into the room. Another way of saying this is when a person’s eye reacts properly to light, we can function normally. When we receive God’s Word, the light of divine revelation brings our soul understanding and discernment. Discernment to know the difference between good, which is Truth, and evil, which is lies. Jesus, who is light, keeps us from operating in darkness and deception. He exposes the lies just like light exposes the darkness. When we are willing to receive God’s Truth and respond to it, it will bring light into our lives and we will be able to live a life full of God’s Truth. We will clearly see our life’s path and make wise decisions.

When we listen and respond to Jesus, when we receive His Word and practice what we say we believe, this proves itself as the light that radiates from our inner being. This light is the evidence of our faith.

Now if pride and love of the world and all its pleasures rule the heart, then these things will discard the evidence of God’s Truth and keep the soul satiated in complete darkness. The eyes are then shut to the gospel and cannot receive its comfort, help, or direction in life. Someone in darkness might hear God’s Truth but doesn’t seem to care about God’s will for their lives. They don’t desire to know it or live it and thus they wander around in the world’s darkness endlessly.

I want to also point out that Jesus is the light preaching and teaching here. Notice He is not hidden. He is out in the open with His Word. We need the eyesight to see Him in our lives. What good is it to have the eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear, and a mind that cannot receive Jesus?

Prayer: Jesus, Miracle-worker, Teacher, the breath in our lungs. You alone are praiseworthy. You are worthy of all the glory. Your death and resurrection are enough. We don’t need another miracle to know that You are the only Truth and the Way in this life. When the circumstances provoke worry or anxiety in our hearts, help us to live with full assurance in Your Word. Help us to live all our moments as though we believe You, Jesus. Our eyes are looking for You, Jesus. Help us see you here with us, Immanuel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.