ROAD CLOSED
A few weeks ago the road in front of our house was closed down due to construction as there is a new roundabout being installed. We happen to live between the signs that read “Road Closed ahead” and the construction site. What has amazed me is the number of cars that drive around the signs just to arrive at the construction site, be surprised that the road is actually closed, and turn around and drive back. While I am sure this is very aggravating to those drivers, my youngest daughter and I have found it to be rather humorous. Several night a week we build a fire in front of our house, pull up the camping chairs, and take turns determining if the cars passing by will be coming back in a few minutes, we do have a few neighbors that live between us and the construction site. My daughter frequently asks, “Why don’t they believe the signs?
Not believing the signs has been a problem throughout all of human history. One example is Creation verses Evolution. Those that believe that all of existence is the result of evolution claim that it is supported by scientific fact when in reality evolution is based upon theory and speculation. Romans 1: 19-20 tells us that God has shown Himself to mankind through His creation: “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” The complexity of the earth, the human eye, DNA, and the uniform laws of nature are signs if our creator. Signs that people ignore every day.
When Jesus was carrying out His ministry here on earth the religious leaders were also looking for a sign that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. What is interesting is that the religious leaders were also looking for a sign that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. What is interesting is that the religious leaders had witnessed Jesus performing miracles on a regular basis. Here are just a few of the miracles that Jesus performed:
Healing the blind: Matthew 12, Mark 10, John 9
Feeding 5000 men and their families on five loaves of bread and two fish: Luke 9
Calming a stormy sea: Mark 4
Healing 10 lepers all at once: Luke 17
Raising 3 people from the dead: Luke 7, Luke 8, John 11
The religious leaders were asking Jesus for a sign yet ignored all of the signs that Jesus had done right before their eyes. The problem wasn’t the signs, the problem was they simply didn’t want to believe the truth about the signs that were before their eyes. The religious leaders were like the people that are driving down the road in from of my house. Both are working hard to get around the signs just to find out that the signs are true.
What about you? Do you believe the signs that Jesus is the Savior, the Son of God who died and rose again for you so that you can be forgiven of your sins and have eternal life? The greatest sign that Jesus is who He claims to be is found in Matthew 28:6, “He is not here: for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” While ignoring the road closed sign in front of my house may be temporary inconvenience ignoring Jesus has eternal consequences.
Pastor Tom