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The DEEP

Is it OK to Ask For a Sign?

Not in the way they were asking for one.

Luke 11:27-32 (ESV)

As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

Here Jesus addresses the folks who weren’t convinced when He cast out the mute demon.

But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. – Luke 11:15-16

They seek a sign from heaven. Good grief, what do they think the casting out was? Jesus could have said, “You wouldn’t know a sign from heaven if it bit you.” This illustrates an important principle – you can’t understand something you don’t want to understand.

But then Jesus says something really surprising. “No sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Even by their ridiculous standard (where miracles don’t count as signs) one thing will happen that qualifies. They’ll get the sign of Jonah. OK, but what’s that? Matthew’s account fills in the details.

For 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

There were many signs and wonders performed by Jesus and the Apostles, but His resurrection is in a class by itself. It’s much more than just evidence of the truth of Jesus’ claims. After His crucifixion, when Jesus showed up again and shocked the daylights out of His depressed followers, it was the sign that turned the world upside down. They would go on to serve Him – and walk through fire if need be – for the rest of their lives.

Nothing would ever be the same again.


Is it appropriate to ask for a sign when seeking the Lord’s will in something? Absolutely! It’s one of the best prayers there is.

But there are some important caveats. Most importantly, God may choose to not give you a sign. His answer may be that you have to make your own decision. You must ask in a way that allows for a non-answer. In fact, getting a sign is pretty special and should involve something out of the ordinary.

A true sign will be thunderously clear.


The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

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