Monday, March 13, 2022

Listen to the Word

The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” (Mark 8:11-12)

If you are like me, you’ve asked Jesus for some kind of sign more times that you can count. Perhaps you’ve requested a burning bush to prove that he’s really there. Maybe you’ve asked for an audible voice to tell you which fork in the road you should take. An unmistakable miracle with a giant tag that says “from Jesus” would sure be nice every once in a while.

Jesus usually declines our requests for him to prove himself by igniting spiritual fireworks. He refuses such a demand in today’s Scripture passage, too. If I were Jesus and the Pharisees asked me for a sign, I might have been tempted to provide a sign made of brimstone for those judgmental jerks. But Jesus just told them they were out of luck. He knew they were making the request “to test him,” as Mark says. He’s not a Golden Retriever who does tricks on command. In this Gospel full of miracles performed by Jesus, he refuses to coerce faith through supernatural stunts.

Live the Word

Instead of asking Jesus for a new sign today, reflect on the evidence you’ve already seen that he is real, he is powerful, and he is with you. Ask him to fortify your faith with that reminder of what you’ve already experienced.