Pondering Proof

 Luke 11: 29-32

​When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.  For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation.  The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!  The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!
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Jesus had just cast a silent demon from a mute man; once his demon was no longer silent and cast out, the man too, began to speak. The crowd was amazed, some believed, but some began accusing Jesus of doing evil; they ask for a sign- proof- that all this was from God.  You can sense the frustration level in Jesus at the end of that altercation when he responds to a woman in the crowd who tried to shout down the naysayers and call  him "blessed."  He says, 'you'll be blessed when you do it!'  Todays reading picks up there.

Jesus and his disciples leave the scene and continue on their journey. Even more people join them this time, as crowds grow as they do around any controversial figure; and I'm sure as they walked, someone (or more likely more than one) found the courage to approach Jesus and ask him, "what the heck was all of that about?"  And I sense that Jesus, still raw from the conversation, didn't answer right away, and when he did, he responded in somewhat of a muttering tone, still just a little bit ticked off about being accused of consorting with the devil. 

"This generation is an eeevil generation... (long pause) ...it asks for a sign, but NO sign will be given to it ... (longer pause)  ...except the sign of Jonah!" Jesus grumbles on, comparing the rejection of his words by Israel to the rejection of the prophet's words by the people of Nineveh; that even the Queen of Sheba knew enough to come and listen to wise old Solomon.  "Something greater than Solomon is here, something greater than Jonah is here... (even longer pause) ... history will be a harsh judge." 

And aren't we?  Don't we often look back on those who rejected Jesus's teachings and shake our heads in disgust?  'How could they not see?  Why did they keep asking for more proof?' we wonder.

A better question to ponder might be, 'Why do we?'  What sign are we looking for that will prove to us that Christ's way is a better way? What would have to happen, who would have to speak, how would we have to experience God's love to be moved to think, act, believe, live, accordingly? 

Praying with you as you ponder,
​Pastor Linda

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