The Backslider and the Resurrection

Blessed encouragement

“...there shall no sign be given...but the sign of the prophet Jonas.” The superficial sign seekers of Jesus’ day were much like those of our own. This type is interested more in novelty than Deity. How disappointed they must have been at Jesus’ reply to their request for a sign. The only redemptive sign He would give would be that of His resurrection. No other signs would have any spiritual significance if there were no resurrection.

We can understand our Lord using the temple as a sign of Him rising from the dead, and, also, the writer of Hebrews giving us the example of obedient Abraham and his son, Isaac, as a figure of Christ’s resurrection. But to use a disobedient, compassionless backslider, who cared only for his own race, as an illustration of the greatest historical event of all time, is, to say the least, baffling.

Nonetheless, I have a theory about this oddity. Could it be that Jesus wanted to show those of us who have made so many mistakes and experienced just as many failures that He is able to turn the tables, so to speak? That those things we are so ashamed of and sorry for, in the end (without condoning them), He will work these embarrassing times for our good and His glory? It’s just like our Sovereign God to do something like that, isn’t it?

All backsliders, because of the resurrection, get second chances, if they so desire. Even the horrible sin of denying their Lord. Ask Simon Peter, if you doubt me!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

by an Aged Saint

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