Thursday, October 14, 2021

Today’s Reading: Luke 11:29-32

“For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation.“

Luke 11:30

Reflection: During His ministry, Jesus performs signs which point to His authority and power as the Messiah. His works gather large crowds that are hoping see the proof of Jesus as the Messiah they are expecting: a military or political Messiah. But the miraculous signs they witness – healings and casting out of demons – divide the crowds in their understanding of Jesus’ identity. Some go as far as saying that His works are proof that He is of demons and not of God. The proof Jesus gives does not satisfy them because He is not revealing Who the people want Jesus to be.

In response, Jesus speaks to this behavior. Hesays that, just as Jonah had become a sign of God’s redemption and salvation, He will become a greater sign of eternal salvation through His death and resurrection. But even this sign, Jesus says, will not cause the unwilling to believe that He is sent by God. Many who sought after Jesus’ miracles failed to see that the signs were revealing Jesus as someone who was more than they had hoped for: God in human form. Jesus the Messiah was far greater than the Messiah people were expecting. Jesus’ work wouldn’t be to conquer the Roman Empire, but sin and death.

Seeking signs of God’s work in the world is difficult when we place our own expectations upon God. In our search for proof that He is working in the ways we want Him to, we risk seeing what He is actually doing. Our trust in Him helps us to see more clearly His ongoing work around us.

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, Your ways are higher than my ways and Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. Thank You for proving over and over again Your unending faithfulness. I know You are at work Lord. As I seek after You, help me to see Your work around me. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Luke 11:29-54; Genesis 20; Psalm 13