October 14, 2026
Today's Reading: Matthew 12:38-50
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 12:13-32; Matthew 12:38-50
“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, ‘Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.’ But he answered them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 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 12:38-40)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Signs are beneficial. If you drive or ever ride in a car, you know this. Sometimes, signs can give you directions. A sign that says “right turn only” means that the road after that goes one way only. In Florida, there is an underwater cave called the “Eagle’s Nest.” It’s one of the most notorious underwater caves, on account of its being incredibly dangerous. There is a large sign at the entrance that says "STOP." Prevent your death. Go no further. There’s nothing in this cave worth dying for. Clearly, that sign is telling you to stay out of the cave!
But what the Pharisees are after is something altogether different. It seems like they are casually asking him to do something for them. They even phrase it so nicely, too, don’t they? “Teacher” is what they call him. They seem so polite. But underneath that politeness lurks malice. Because from the earliest days of his ministry, they are always seeking to entrap Jesus, to catch him on something where they can arrest him, haul him in, put him on trial, and put him to death. They knew what they had already seen. All of Jesus' earthly life testifies to his being the Messiah who would save God’s people from their sins. They just don’t want to believe. No doubt if they had gotten their sign, they would have wanted another, and another, and another. Because the problem is, they have no faith.
Those are the wicked ones. They only see the sign of Jonah testifying against them and their unbelief.
But for the ones who do believe, the ones who have had their sins forgiven by Jesus, the sign of Jonah is not a testament against them but the best news that there is. Since Christ has risen, his people will rise too!
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
All the earth with joy is sounding: Christ has risen from the dead! He, the greater Jonah, bounding From the grave, His three-day bed, Wins the prize: Death’s demise— Songs of triumph fill the skies. (LSB 462:1)
Rev. Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.
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