Matthew 16:1-4 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The signs of the Messiah.

Coming into the borders of Magadan, after the miracles of the mountain in which he healed all manner of diseases, and miraculously feasted about eight thousand persons, Jesus encountered the Pharisees and Sadducees, who, sinking their sectarian differences for the time, agreed to tempt or test him by demanding a special sign of his Messiahship. Jesus declined to gratify them in this, appealing to the signs of the times which should be sufficient for them, and giving them himself a special sign. Let us consider, then—

I. THE SPECIAL SIGN WHICH THE PHARISEES SOUGHT .

1 . They sought a sign from heaven.

2 . They sought that sign too soon.

II. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES TO WHICH JESUS APPEALED .

1 . Those connected with his personal advent.

2 . Those connected with ills public ministry.

III. THE SPECIAL SIGN WHICH JESUS GAVE .

1 . He gave them a sign from the earth.

2 . This sign best suited a wicked generation.

3 . Jesus rested his claims upon this sign.