Jesus, the Medium and the Message.

Lk. 11:29-32

Why was Jesus angry at the people who were only asking for a sign? What is wrong with asking for a sign? Is that not a sign of more interest in understanding the message given? Was Jesus being so strict and irritable? if he is so concerned about the people understanding His message, why not just give a sign?

Life is full of signs. Everyday we use signs. In fact, we can not live without them. Letters, for example, are signs. Combined, they further lead us to another message. Letters e, s, a, e, s, g, and m, has no clear meaning for us. But when we re-arrange them in to m, e, s, s, a, g,and e, and combine them to form a word, they will give us (a)  "message". What were letters before, our mind was able to formulate an idea equal to the meaning of the word "message". Our actions, our words, our dresses, and others; all of them are signs. Colors, shapes, textures, etc. are not just used for their sake but to give a message. They operate as signs. 

The words and deeds of the Lord Jesus are signs. They are signs of the power and authority of God. jesus used them to reveal to them Himself and His Father. At this point, He had already spoken so many words and did so many miracles. For Him, more than enough to recognize Him and understand His message. Comparing them to the people of Nineveh who only had Jonah and the Queen of the South who only had Solomon, the people in Jesus' time have the best sign in Jesus! If they already have the best and perfect sign before them, why are they still asking for another sign? The point of Jesus was, other signs are inferior to Him. If they could not get the message in Jesus, then, there is no way they could get the message from another.

The Lord Jesus saw in them their rejection of Him. They had closed their eyes and hearts from Jesus that Jesus could not anymore do or show anything that will make them believe Him. That is evil! The greatest sin is the rejection of Wisdom. The greatest sin is the resistance to open one's person to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Only when you allow the Spirit to inspire, can you let God's graces enter you and lead you to the understanding of a sign. In this case, it is the recognition of the best and perfect sign, that is, the Lord Jesus.

We are more fortunate than the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South for having the Lord Jesus as our sign. With Jesus, we have both the medium and the message. We do not have any reason to ask for any more signs. Jesus must be enough because He is God's Son and in Person!