Ember Wednesday in Lent

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you” (Mt 12:38). That seems like a reasonable request. It sounds like they are saying, “Jesus, we want to believe. Show us a miracle and we will believe that you are the Messiah.” But look back a few verses in this chapter and you’ll see that Jesus had just done two miracles. He healed a man who had a withered hand. Did the Pharisees believe? No. They immediately went out and conspired against Jesus, how to destroy him. Then Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was mute and blind. Did the Pharisees believe? No. They accused Jesus of being in league with Beelzebul, the prince of demons.

The Pharisees had hardened their hearts to the point that it wouldn’t matter what miracle Jesus did in front of them. They would not believe. They were too busy trusting in their pedigree as direct descendents of Abraham, or in their righteous works. They had no need for a Savior, no use for Jesus. So his answer to them seems harsh, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah” (Mt 12:39).

Let’s think about Jonah for a minute. God told him to go preach to the wicked pagans who lived in Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrian empire. Now here was a wicked and adulterous generation! They knew nothing of God or his laws. And yet, when they heard Jonah’s preaching, the entire city repented. They dressed in sackcloth, put ashes upon their heads, and cried out for forgiveness. And God, who always desires to be merciful, forgave them and spared the city. The wicked Ninevites received the preaching of Jonah, who was God’s messenger, while the self-righteous Pharisees rejected Jesus, who was God himself.

The Pharisees serve as a warning to us. It is possible to be a member of the church, to live a pious and moral life, even to hold a position of authority, and yet to have a hard heart that cannot receive Jesus or his words. To such Jesus’ answer seems harsh, “No sign shall be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was in the belly of the sea monster three days and three nights, so shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights” (Mt 12:40).

Jesus’ words seem harsh, but behind them is the greatest promise of mercy ever given. Here is God’s answer to the Pharisees who seek to destroy him and accuse him of being in league with the devil. The Son of Man will be buried in the heart of the earth for three days and nights. Jesus is speaking about his crucifixion and burial. Here is the sign that is given to break through the hard hearts of all Pharisees. Here is the miracle that is given to forgiven the sin of all wicked Ninevites. No other sign will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Why did God cause his prophet, Jonah, to be in the belly of the great fish for three days and nights? Because he desired to show mercy to wicked sinners. Why did God cause his Son, Jesus, to be in the belly of the earth for three days and nights? Because he desired to show mercy to you. Don’t look for another sign from God, as the Pharisees did. You won’t find one, and you don’t need one. Everything you need for life and salvation has already been given to you at the cross.

It doesn’t matter if your family has been in the church for generations, or if you recently were brought into the faith. Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of my Father, [whoever hears and believes my words,] he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mt 12:49). The truth is: every one of us was born into a wicked and adulterous generation. We had no pedigree to speak of, but through baptism, God has adopted you into his family. God’s will to be merciful to you has been accomplished. His desire to bring you to and keep you in the faith of Jesus Christ is being carried out even at this moment. Whether you were you an outwardly-righteous Pharisee, a wicked Ninevite, or some combination of both, to you a sign has been given. Here is your miracle. Here is Christ. His body is broken. His blood is shed. And it is for you. Amen.