And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Him they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." (Matthew 16:1-4)

I really wonder about these religious leaders! By this point, Jesus has done plenty of miracles, most in public. Why do they want one more? They don't need more signs; they need to understand the signs they already have.

But by the mercy of God, they will in fact get just one more sign—the sign of the prophet Jonah, who was swallowed by a great fish. As Jesus explained, "Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40). Jesus will suffer and die, and on the third day He will rise again.

Jesus' death and resurrection is the only sign we really need. It marks Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah God sent to save us. It shows that God accepted His sacrifice and it guarantees our own forgiveness and resurrection—for Jesus has promised to share His own everlasting life with all of us who trust in Him. That's a sign worth having!

WE PRAY: Lord, help me to trust in Your death and resurrection. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* Why do people put up signs?

* What is the purpose of the sign from God?

* What does Jesus' death and resurrection mean to you?

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 23-24    Mark 10:32-52

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