Jesus is asked for a sign and only references the sign of Jonah. This is a cryptic reference to what would come in His death and resurrection.
Matthew 12:38-45
SERMON OUTLINE
Their Sign and Response
- The Ninevites: Heard but didn’t see – Repented
- The Queen of the South: Heard and came to see – Believed
- The scribes and Pharisees: Heard and saw – Criticised
What it Means
- The Ninevites: Condemnation because no repentance
- The Queen of the South: Condemnation because no wisdom
Here’s Your Sign:
- Jesus – The Resurrection and Life
- Jesus – Wisdom in the Flesh
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What did you take away from the message today?
- Have you ever asked God to give you a sign to prove His existence or that God is working? Explain.
- Is it good or bad to ask God to give you a sign? Why?
- Throughout this passage, Jesus constantly calls the scribes and Pharisees a wicked and adulterous generation. Why do you think Jesus calls them that? What does that mean?
- Why does a wicked and adulterous generation ask for a sign?
- What would you say is the difference between the scribes and Pharisees asking for a sign and those asking for healing?
- Read Jonah 3. What made the Ninevites repent after having only heard the message?
- Read 1 King 10:1-13. The Queen of Sheba says she heard of Solomon’s wisdom but didn’t believe it until she actually witnessed it first hand. Why do you think she traveled all that way, and left her own kingdom if she didn’t really believe?
- Why do you think the Pharisees and scribes didn’t believe even though they saw Jesus do signs and wonders?
- Based on what Jesus said about that generation, how do you think Jesus would characterize our generation?