Look No Further...Here’s Your Sign!

Introduction

Last Sunday morning, we saw Jesus, for the second time in Mark’s gospel, feed a large multitude of people using not very much food.  When I say a large multitude of people, I’m not talking about your family reunion.  I’m talking about 15,000 in Mark 6 and another 12,000 or so in Mark 8.

 

This morning in Mark 8:11, we pick up right after this happened, and Jesus and His disciples had gotten in a boat and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

 

 

Exposition

In verse 11, the Pharisees confront Jesus.  Remember these are the Jewish religious leaders of the first century, and the scribes, experts in the Jewish law, were probably with them.

 

Notice they argued with Jesus.  They asked of Jesus, and they analyzed Jesus.  When they first encountered Jesus, their immediate action was to argue or dispute with Him. 

 

Second, they asked of Him.  Specifically, they asked Him for a sign.  They wanted a sign that proved He was from God or that He was God’s Son, the promised Messiah.

 

Does seem strange to you?  Hadn’t Jesus performed signs that only God could do multiple times already?  Did they not know?  Did those signs not count or matter?

 

What am I talking about?  Let’s walk backward for just a minute.

 

1. 8:1-10 Fed 4,000 plus with seven and a few
2. 7:31-37 Healed a deaf and mute man
3. 7:24-30 Healed a demon-possessed daughter
4. 6:45-52 Walked on water and calmed a storm
5. 6:30-44 Fed 5,000 plus with five and two
6. 5:25-34 Healed a woman with twelve years of internal bleeding
7. 5:21-43 Raised Jairus’ daughter back to life
8. 5:1-20 Healed a demon-possessed man
9. 4:35-41 Calmed a storm
10. 3:1-6 Healed a man with a withered hand
11. 2:1-12 Healed a paralytic man who couldn’t walk
12. 1:40-45 Healed a leper
13. 1:29-31 Healed Peter’s mother-in-law
14. 1:21-28 Healed a demon-possessed man

 

So what is the deal?  Why did they ask for another sign?  They didn’t want to believe what they already knew to be true.

 

In verse 12, notice that Jesus was angered at them.  Jesus asked them, and Jesus assured them.

 

Verse 12 says sighed deeply in His spirit.  In other words, the Pharisees’ request really made Jesus mad.  It got His blood boiling.  He was angry.

 

Then, He asked why they needed another sign.  This generation is a reference to the Jewish religious leaders but also to most all first-century Jews.  The Old Testament promised a coming Messiah.  These signs we have already seen point to Jesus as Him.  What was there problem?

 

Third, Jesus assured them that they wouldn’t get another sign.  However, Matthew’s gospel says they would not get another sign other than the sign of Jonah.  That would be Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

 

Matthew 16:4, 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

 

 

Application/Conclusion/Invitation

So what does that mean for us today?  For the follower of Christ, you don’t need any more signs to obey Jesus than this book.

If you want God to give you a sign to be baptized, He has.  If you want God to give you a sign to join a local church, He has.  If you want God to give you a sign that you need to start tithing, He has.  If you want God to give you a sign to sacrificially and unconditionally love your spouse, He has.  If you want God to give you a sign that you need to keep your children in church, He has.  If you want God to give you a sign, children, to obey mom and dad, He has.

 

Quit asking for signs and starting doing what the Bible already has said.

 

If you are here this morning and you’ve never been saved and you’re asking God for a sign as to whether He loves you, look no further than the cross.

 

Romans 5:8, 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Look no further.  Wonder no more.  Ask for no more signs.  God loves you and wants a personal, relationship with you by you calling on His Son, Jesus, to save you from your sins.

 

At the end of our service this morning, when the cup passes by you, know that the cup is a picture of God’s love for you.  When the bread passes by you, know that the bread is a picture of God’s love for you.  Now the question is will you love in return.  Will you call on the name of the Lord to save you?  I’m inviting you to do that this morning.