Sep 19 – A Sign from Heaven!

“They asked Him that He would show them a sign from heaven.” (Matthew 16:1)

The Jews were constantly looking for signs. They did not believe the Word of the Lord (Matthew 12:38). In order to test Him, they asked Him for a sign from heaven.

Even today, many people look to the heavens for signs. They consult the stars and planets, study horoscopes, and seek to determine their future through celestial signs. Some even look up to the heavens and worship the heavenly bodies and their powers. In the end, they become ensnared by the forces of darkness operating in the heavenly realms.

But there are three significant occasions recorded in Scripture when Jesus looked up toward heaven.

The first was when He was about to feed the hungry multitude. He took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven and blessed them (Matthew 14:19). When He broke the bread and gave it to His disciples, the food continued to multiply. More than five thousand people ate and were satisfied.

What a wonderful lesson! When Jesus looked toward heaven, He looked to His Father as the source of provision. What was insufficient in human hands became more than sufficient in the hands of God.

The second occasion is recorded in Mark 7:34. A deaf man who could hardly speak was brought to Jesus. He took him aside from the multitude, put His fingers into the man’s ears, touched his tongue, and looked up to heaven. Then He said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened.” Immediately, his ears were opened, the restriction on his tongue was removed, and he began to speak plainly (Mark 7:32–35).

When Jesus looked toward heaven, a miracle followed. Look to heaven in faith, and bring your need before the Lord. He is able to hear your prayer and answer you.

The third occasion is recorded in John 17:1. After speaking these things, Jesus lifted His eyes toward heaven and prayed to His Father. He knew that His hour had come, and His prayer was that the Father would be glorified through Him and that eternal life would be given to those whom the Father had entrusted to Him.

The eyes of our beloved Lord were always turned toward His Father. Even upon the cross at Calvary, His heart and eyes were directed toward the heavenly Father. He prayed, “Father, forgive them,” and at the end He committed His spirit into the Father’s hands. What a perfect example for us!

May our eyes remain fixed upon heaven, our hearts anchored in Christ, and our lives directed by the will of our heavenly Father.

Verse for further meditation: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)