May 10 Kingdom Sign

Luke 12:54-56 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”
 
“HYPOCRITES” is one of Jesus’ harshest judgments. Perhaps my own greatest spiritual fear is that Jesus would charge me with this sin. To be a hypocrite is to say, “I believe God.” But then you say, “I can live in my way.” A hypocrite’s life demonstrates little or no sign of God’s Word.
    Our Lord uses this strong condemnation to continue his kingdom warnings. Jesus has spent much time among the Jews. He is quite aware they correctly respond to the weather’s physical signs, and they ignore signs of God’s rule. As people of the earth, the Jews attended to the signs of the seasons. They knew when to plant and reap. They understood when the fruit was ready to harvest. Their physical lives responded to the natural environment. Wisely, they could prepare for the next day’s weather and seasonal changes, and they responded to them. In other words, they knew the signs and did the signs of nature.
    But they did not do God’s Word and believe his clear signs of his rule and authority. Repeatedly, Jesus pointed the Jews to the Father, but still they grumbled, “We don’t believe you.” In ignorance and hard hearts, they wanted something else. “Give us a sign.” was their common challenge to God’s greatest sign, Jesus Christ. But still they stubbornly negated Jesus’ signs of physical and spiritual healing, even resurrection.
    How do you respond to God’s signs – his teaching, his knowledge, his correction, his judgment, his healing and his salvation? In my own life, there are too many moments, even this day, when I act as if I don’t know and believe the Bible’s teachings. Do you have the same challenge? What are we to do to avoid the charge, “You hypocrite!”?
    We are to diligently seek after God’s Word. Even as we fail – especially as we fail – to do what is true, we are to recognize our sins, humbly repent and then faithfully receive the Lord’s forgiveness. A hypocrite pridefully and regularly neglects God, claiming a self-righteousness based on his own view. As in all matters of our faith, God desires our hearts to be broken for him. He knows who is false and who is true.
    What do you think when you see the cross and recall the empty tomb? How do you act when you hear the gospel preached, a hymn sung or a prayer lifted up? Do you pridefully ignore these sings of Heaven to live as you desire? Or do you submissively respond in awe and wonder at God’s amazing grace to unveil his kingdom signs to you? I pray you are eager to follow God’s sign: Welcome to My Home.
 
Prayer: Father, thank you for the Bible, the sign of your love for me. Let (me) then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that (I) may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) In Jesus’ name I submit to your wisdom. Amen.