Gospel
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.
No sign will be given.
He came into the world to save us and bring us back home. We have the Gospels to explain all to us and the church to help understand and live in freedom.
But we all want a sign, don’t we?
There is so much going on in the world. Discord and conflicts and division. Even in our individual lives distractions are greater than ever before. We have more time but not enough. We have more people we now communicate with but fewer who are close. 50 years ago your family and local community was your people and you knew most of them.
So much going on around us and so many voices. Those of us who follow the one true voice of Jesus can feel orphan at times and wonder if we are on track. Wonder if what we want is what God wants for us. Wonder if our current struggles and confusion or maybe sufferings will ever end well.
Life is about struggles and learning and growing. Jesus looks at the Pharisees and sees people who will not open their hearts to him. They will not let faith grow because they reject him and everyone who does not align with their views and positions.
But you and I have faith. We have the Gospel and the benefit of knowing who he is and what is expected of us.
We still find ourselves asking for a sign. Maybe we will receive one.
But Jesus has a different view. He says with a sigh, no sign will be given. It’s not that he never gave signs. His whole life and every action was a sign for those who were looking, for those who were paying attention. For those who could accept him as King of their hearts.
We and all people in faith need to trust in him. Trust that all will end well for us. We may not find relief from circumstance like we expect it, but if we stay close to him and trust in him, we will be alright. Things will end well. For those who trust in faith in Jesus always find things will end well.
We might not be able to conceive of how things will go or how things will work out. We cannot see the future or the result of what God is doing for us.
But he knows what he is doing.
Let us all surrender our doubts to Jesus today. Surrender our life and work and worries. Always strive and work hard using what we have been given. But know he is working too. He has a plan. All we have to do is follow that plan by growing close to him so we can see the truth and joy and love our God has for us. And he will do the rest. We don’t need a sign, for Jesus already gave us the greatest sign of all. He came down to be with us always. And he gave us the Holy Spirit as an advocate and comforter.
Hold fast to the words of Jesus Christ. All will be okay.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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