July 4, 2026 -- Matthew 16:1-4 -- The most unlikely converts

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.
Matthew 16:1-4 ESV
 
The Pharisees and Sadducees had witnessed miracles already. The sick were healed, the lame walked, the blind had their eyes opened, and demons were cast out of those who’d been possessed. So, what would be a greater sign from heaven? The greatest sign was standing right in front of them: Jesus the Son of God, incarnate. He is the love of God sent from heaven to rescue lost and ruined sinners. They missed the sign. Worse, they refused to acknowledge Jesus!
 
What is the “sign of Jonah?” He was a prophet who didn’t preach to the nation of Israel, because the hardness of the people’s hearts. They wouldn’t listen. He was sent to Nineveh—the enemies of God’s people. The hardness of Israel’s heart provided opportunity for Gentiles, non-Jewish people, to receive the word of the LORD and repent. And, in fact, the Ninevites did receive the love of God. It was recorded that the Ninevites, from the king on his throne, to the most menial worker, all repented.
 
It serves as a warning to us today. Is you heart open to the Gospel? Are you listening to Jesus? Or is your heart hard to the Gospel message? I urge you, recognize Jesus as the ultimate sign from heaven, the greatest evidence EVER of the radiant love of God. Open your heart, and your arms, to the most unexpected converts. (Let’s face it, if God set His love on you, why wouldn’t He love others as well? God is in the business of saving sinners.) Jonah himself was hardened. He was so upset that God in His great mercy had saved his enemies, the Ninevites. (Now, who does that sound like? You? Me? Of course it does. How do we know for sure that Jonah repented and changed his ways? Jonah wrote the prophetic book which is in the Old Testament, the one which bears his name, Jonah. He was a stubborn prophet, whose heart was changed by the lovingkindness of God, and he had to tell everyone.
 
Merciful Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus, the sign from heaven, Who radiates Your love and justice. Spirit of God, open our hearts to every person You bring to our fellowships, missions and churches. Forgive us the many times we have tried to shut the door behind us, unwilling to see Your saving grace reach the people we think are our enemies. Let our hearts be filled with the mercy of our Father in heaven, our minds ready to disciple others in the way of Jesus, and by the Spirit’s work in us, disciple one another until we all grow up into Christ, the Head. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/BY6VAy9y_iQ?si=KEnAUMnnI7vkrD1x Jesus, Friend of Sinners
 

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