Have you ever read a story of Jesus where Jesus did not seem to be very Jesus-like?

I was in Luke 11:29 where it says, “As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks for a sign and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah”. Why is Jesus so ticked off? Why are his words so strong?

The backstory. The crowds are off the charts. Jesus worked hundreds if not thousands of miracles, commanded nature and raised the dead. He had just driven a demon out of a man. The miracle was undeniable. Amazing. Powerful. The evidence for Jesus’ identity was overwhelming. The response:

1. Religious leaders fabricated a lie that Jesus was empowered by Beelzebub. Satan that is. Really? Blasphemous.
2. The other group thought the exorcism was cool but wanted another trick… I mean sign.

These folks were not looking for God to believe but for an excuse not to follow. Jesus saw right through their unbelief. No amount of evidence would ever be enough for some. There were avoiders, ignorers and some sitting out on the fence. The truth is just as the Sun melts butter and hardens clay… so the SON melts hearts or hardens hearts.

It might not have seemed very Jesus-like, but his warning was a merciful wake-up call to a whole generation… respond to the LIGHT you have been given. If you do, you will get more light. If you do not, you will get less.

Will we heed these words in our generation?

P.S. If you need evidence. The great and grand sign has been given to all of us… a blood stained cross and an empty tomb. “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.” Jesus is the ultimate Jonah sign. He is the gospel.

JESUS SAID WHAT?

You’ve got to be kidding me

Dr. Michael Sprague is the Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures. Michael lives with his wonderful wife Donna and resides in Mandeville, LA. His motto is “Bet the Farm on God.” You can find more information about Michael here.