Matthew 12:38-42: a reflection

38Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here. 42The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.

When the scribes and Pharisees demand a sign from Jesus, he points them past the signs they crave to the One standing before them, greater than any prophet or king. The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, he says, and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here. Those who demanded a sign were overlooking the greater reality in their midst: One greater than the prophets and kings of old was standing before them. They wanted a sign, and missed the surpassing greatness of Christ himself, greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon, present before their eyes. The One they should have received was greater than all they revered.

Notice what the sign-seekers missed: the surpassing greatness of Christ before them. They demanded a sign, some proof to satisfy them; but standing before them was One greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon, greater than the prophets and kings they honored. Foreigners had repented at Jonah's preaching and traveled far to hear Solomon's wisdom; yet here was One greater than both, and the sign-seekers did not receive him. Their craving for a sign blinded them to the greater reality: the surpassing greatness of Christ himself, present before their eyes. What they needed was not another sign but to recognize the One who was greater than all they revered, standing in their midst. The greatness of Christ outshone every sign they could demand.

That is worth taking to heart, for the surpassing greatness of Christ, greater than all we revere, is before us, and we are called to recognize him. We can crave signs and proofs, some further evidence to satisfy us, while overlooking the surpassing greatness of Christ himself; but Jesus is greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon, greater than all we honor, and he is the One we are called to receive. What we most need is not another sign but to recognize and receive the greatness of Christ. Do not crave further signs while overlooking the surpassing greatness of Christ before you; recognize him, greater than all you revere. Recognize and receive the surpassing greatness of Christ, greater than Jonah and Solomon and all we honor, rather than craving further signs, as Jesus said someone greater than Jonah and greater than Solomon is here; for the One standing before the sign-seekers was greater than every prophet and king they revered, and what we most need is not another sign but to recognize the surpassing greatness of Christ and receive him.

Lord Jesus, when the scribes and Pharisees demand a sign from you, you point them past the signs they crave to yourself, standing before them, greater than any prophet or king. The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, you say, and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here. Those who demanded a sign were overlooking the greater reality in their midst: One greater than the prophets and kings of old was standing before them. They wanted a sign, and missed the surpassing greatness of you yourself. Show me what the sign-seekers missed: the surpassing greatness of you before them. They demanded a sign, some proof to satisfy them; but standing before them was One greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon, greater than the prophets and kings they honored. Their craving for a sign blinded them to the greater reality: your surpassing greatness, present before their eyes. What they needed was not another sign but to recognize you, greater than all they revered. Take that to my heart, for your surpassing greatness, greater than all I revere, is before me, and I am called to recognize you. I can crave signs and proofs, some further evidence to satisfy me, while overlooking your surpassing greatness; but you are greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon, greater than all I honor. What I most need is not another sign but to recognize and receive your greatness. Keep me from craving further signs while overlooking your surpassing greatness before me; help me recognize and receive you, Lord, greater than all I revere.