Matthew 28:42
"He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe."
This is what the Pharisees said to mock Jesus as he hung on the cross. Their rejection of the Savior was complete. Throughout Jesus' ministry the Pharisees kept demanding that he show them a sign, even though when he did perform miracles they got angry at him. These men were so blinded by Satan that they didn't even understand what was happening despite knowing the Old Testament Scriptures as well as anyone in their day. Jesus had even connected the dots for them many times. Revealing to everyone how he was fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Jesus had even promised them one grand sign that they would not be able to deny, even though they did: The Sign of Jonah-
"A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
- Matthew 12:39-40
This is the same sign that has been given to our generation. As you know, we are living amongst a "wicked and adulterous generation". People today still demand signs and "proof", even though the only sign needed has been given to us in God's Word. All the proof needed to know the Bible is true is all around us. Including the natural knowledge of God that exists inside every human being, even atheists. Think about it. If atheists really believed that there is no God, why would they spend their whole lives trying to convince you of that? Why would they care? They care because they are trying to purge the natural knowledge of God from their own hearts, but they can't. So instead they join with Satan and attack God and his people
The reality is that Jesus is who said he is: the Son of God. He proved that by being born of a virgin (True Man), living the perfect life that we can't live, dying on a cross to take the punishment for every sin (the punishment that we deserve), and then raising from the dead on the third day. Jesus has given the Pharisees and us the Sign of Jonah. His entire life is the only proof needed that he is the Savior of the world. He has graciously revealed this truth to us in His Word, the Holy Bible. You can reject it. You can ignore it. And all who do suffer the same judgment as the Pharisees: eternal death in hell.
That's not what Jesus wants. "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) Jesus paid the price for the sins of all people. He wants everyone to be saved. He wants you to be saved.
At Pentecost, when Peter preached his sermon in Acts 2 the people asked, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Peter responded, "Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
This is what Jesus wants. He wants everyone to repent and be baptized so they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. That gift is the faith to be able to believe in Jesus as your Savior. Jesus died for you. He wants you to be saved. He loves you.
God bless
Jason Fredrick
