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.” Mark 8:12 NABRE
Jesus is asked for a sign by the religious leadership. He sighs from the depth of His spirit, expressing distress at their hardness of heart. This generation is a reminder of that evil generation who refused to trust God even after all He had done for them escaping Egypt and surviving in the desert. We can surmise that those asking Jesus this question are motivated by a sincere desire for the truth, but they must have it on their own terms. To insist on irrefutable proof is to insist on control; we will believe when you perform the necessary signs we require to believe. But compelling evidence for faith is not faith. Jesus in a very sacred voice, noted through His use of “Amen” says no sign will be given to this generation. Though Jesus has been healing and teaching with authority He knows nothing will satisfy them. We are reminded of the words of father Abraham, even if someone is raised from the dead they would not believe him (see Luke 16:31.) Jesus’ presence and demonstration of care and love for others is an invitation to faith, but He will not coerce it. For those who reject His offer there is nothing He can do to force them.
Faith means belief without proof. Our faith relies on us believing without surety. If we think we are the source of our own security, health, joy and life we don’t understand the smallness of our faith. Fortunately God is patient and He waits for our faith to grow, through suffering and moments in our life when we can’t control the outcome. Regardless of how small our faith is in God, His faith in us is great!
On a scale of one to ten where is your faith? Do you need signs?
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