29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nin'eveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will arise 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. 32 The men of Nin'eveh will arise 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.
Meditation: What would Jesus say about our generation?
Jesus gave a rather stern warning to his generation when they demanded
a sign from him. It was characteristic of the Jews that they demanded "signs"
from God's messengers to authenticate their claims. When the religious
leaders pressed Jesus to give proof for his claims he says in so many words
that he is God's sign and that they need no further evidence from heaven
than his own person. The Ninevites recognized God's warning when Jonah
spoke to them, and they repented. And the Queen of Sheba recognized God's
wisdom in Solomon. Jonah was God's sign and his message was the message
of God for the people of Nineveh. Unfortunately the religious leaders
were not content to accept the signs right before their eyes. They
had rejected the message of John the Baptist and now they reject Jesus
as God's Anointed One (Messiah) and they fail to heed his
message. Simeon had prophesied at Jesus' birth that he was "destined
for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will
be opposed so that inner thoughts of many will be revealed" (Luke 2:34-
35). Jesus confirmed his message with many miracles in preparation
for the greatest sign of all — his resurrection on the third day.
The Lord Jesus through the gift of his Holy Spirit offers us freedom from
sin and wisdom for our lives, if we listen to him. Do you thirst
for Godly wisdom? James says that the wisdom from above is first
pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits,
without uncertainty or insincerity (James 3:17). A double-minded
person cannot receive this kind of wisdom. The single of mind desire one
thing alone — that which is good and ordered according to God's wise plan.
Ask the Lord to renew your mind and to increase your thirst for his wisdom.
"Lord, give me your wisdom and increase my love for your ways.
Help me to resist temptation and all wilfulness that I may wholly desire
to do what is pleasing to you."