What Jesus Did! 'Sign Seekers' — Luke 11:29-30

Saturday, July 29, 2023

As the crowd pressed in on Jesus, he said, "This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah. What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to the Son of Man will be a sign to these people that he was sent by God."
— Luke 11:29-30 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus did not go about his ministry to provide a "proof show" for doubters or a "miracle spectacular" for the interested. For those demanding signs, there were none in response to the demands. Jesus was planting seeds in his ministry that could fully develop into "the sign of Jonah" — the ultimate sign of his death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus' resurrection is the primary and overriding sign given to people in the first century and to us. Our challenge is to continue to believe the sign of the resurrection even if we don't receive our miracle — "our sign" — in our particular problems and circumstances. Our hurdle of faith is trusting in Jesus when all looks hopeless and the miracles we desire do not happen before our eyes or at the time we want. If we must have an individual "miraculous sign" to believe, we need to know that we have the cart before the horse. Let's believe, trusting that what Jesus promised [1] is just as true as God's promise was to send him!

[1] Luke 24:35-49; Acts 1:7-8; John 14:15-23.

Today's Prayer

Father, I believe, but sometimes in the middle of my most difficult trials, I need help to have a stronger and more stable faith. I believe, but help my unbelief! Through your Spirit, please give me the courage to walk in faith in moments of crisis, trial, and hardship, trusting that even if I do not receive my earthly miracle, I can know I will receive my heavenly one. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 20:24-29
  • 1 Peter 1:8-9
  • Mark 9:17-24

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 11:29-30 NLT — "This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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