“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign” (KJV Matthew 12:49)
Throughout the ministry of Jesus, when he performs a miracle we are informed that Jesus often gives a charge to “tell no man” (KJV Mark 7:36). Why does Jesus give them this charge? Is he serious? Or is he playing mind games with them, while secretly hoping that they will go and spread the word so more people will believe?
The chief priests and Pharisees agree that if word of these miracles is allowed to spread everyone will believe! They take council together about the problem these miracles pose and say, “What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him” (KJV John 11:47-48).
By their estimation, if word of these miracles is allowed to spread, it will create a much bigger problem than they all ready have with Jesus. If this is the case, wouldn’t it be great for Jesus to garner so many believers as quickly as possible by demonstrating his power to perform miracles in front of a public audience so all can see and then spread the word to accelerate the process of growing the number of believers? Isn’t Jesus trying to get as many believers as he can?
If this is what Jesus wants, why does he not do this? Why does he instead, perform a miracle and also give a charge that is basically the opposite of this approach? Is Jesus trying to avoid trouble with the Jewish leaders? Why wouldn’t he do all he can to get as many people on board as possible when he has a way to do so through performing miracles? Why is Jesus helping the Pharisees by not spreading word of these miracles? Why is both he and the Jewish leaders trying to limit word of these miracles from spreading?
While Jesus and the Jewish leaders seem to have some degree of agreement on this issue of not spreading word of these miracles, could it be for completely different reasons? What does Jesus have in mind when he charges witnesses to “tell no man” concerning these miracles? Does he really want them to obey this charge? Why would he want them to do such a thing? Who would actually follow this kind of charge?
Well, at least one person is known to do this. We are told that his mother experienced mighty miracles, yet “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (KJV Luke 2:19). Is this what Jesus is asking his followers to do? Why would it be better to keep these things in your heart than to spread word of them?
Witness of Peter
When Jesus is in Caesarea Philippi, he asks his disciples who others think he is. This leads to various responses. He also asks his disciples who they think he is. When Peter responds with his own conviction that, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (KJV Matthew 16:16), Jesus is unequivocally pleased with this response, particularly because, “flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (KJV Matthew 16:17). Could it be that it isn’t merely the answer that is pleasing to Jesus but how Peter arrived at the answer that is so satisfying? Peter did not possess this conviction due to some “flesh and blood” method for arriving at his conclusion. Peter has this conviction through another means. The means Peter employs, involves Peter receiving direct revelation from God for himself. The ability to communicate and receive correct information and understanding from God, is a blessed state indeed. Is this what Jesus wants for his disciples? Why is Peter “blessed” for being able to know something without flesh and blood revealing it to him? Which is greater, the ability to see and hear and know spiritual things directly from God, or the ability to see and hear and know with physical senses?
Witness of the Apostles
After the resurrection of Jesus, even though Thomas does have other men and women give him their word that Jesus is resurrected, Thomas says, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (KJV John 20:25). When Jesus does appear to Thomas, he tells him, “because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (KJV John 20:29). Why does Jesus include this insertion about others who believe yet have not seen being blessed?
Among the Nephites
When Jesus appears to a group on the American continent, it is surely a blessed people who get to witness this event. Even so, Jesus tells them, “more blessed are they who shall believe in your words” (LDS 3 Nephi 12:2). How can they who believe in their words, be more blessed than those who witness Jesus with their own eyes and hear him with their own ears? Is this really true? Or is Jesus just saying this to keep them humble, or to placate those not fortunate enough to be there on this day? What is it about the ability to believe the truth beyond only the physical senses, that is more blessed than simply being a witness of the truth with ones own physical eyes and ears?
Pharaoh and the Israelites
After numerous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Israel is finally set free. After many signs and wonders, even Pharaoh eventually submits and is glad to be rid of these Israelites who had proved to be curse to him. Pharaoh witnesses these many signs and wonders but still does not believe enough to follow God. The people of Israel also witness these many signs and wonders and experienced many more that were not performed in the land of Egypt. Yet after many years of having so many signs and wonders, what became of these Israelites who witness so many miracles?
“Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images. When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:” (KJV Psalms 78:56-59)
The Jews in Jesus’ day
The Jews at Jerusalem in Jesus’ day are not much different from their fathers in Moses’ day. As Jesus told people in his day, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe” (KJV John 4:48).
When Jesus does show a sign or wonder, as with feeding the five thousand, the people become entranced with the sign or wonder and are not really interested in the greater teachings Jesus wants to give them. The sign or wonder becomes more important than anything else. Getting the sign or wonder is what they really want. Jesus tries to refocus their priorities saying, “This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever” (KJV John 6:58). Even after witnessing an amazing sign or wonder, the people do not have the depth to receive these greater things, but respond by saying, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” (KJV John 6:60).
Jesus tries to persuade them to receive greater things than free meals, saying, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing … no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” (KJV John 6:63, 65). Does this saying about a man needing to receive something from the Father and not of the flesh, refer to the same kind of thing which Peter had received from the Father, and not of flesh and blood?
If miracles are a sure sign of being a true follower of God, why does Jesus warn that, “Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity”? (LDS 3 Nephi 14:22-23)
Does witnessing or experiencing outward miracles form the kind of connection that saves? What kind of connection with God must a person have to be saved? How does one get that connection? Can miracles end up getting in the way of this kind of connection forming? Can focusing on outward miracles be a distraction from something even more important than physical manifestations? If miracles save, why did Jesus avoid using miracles to attract believers?
At the end of the day, seeking after a sign isn’t hard. Even an adulterer can follow after a sign. Is this what the gospel can be reduced to: producing a people who will simply follow signs? Who needs a real connection with God if outward signs are what we really follow? Can outward signs end up weakening a connection with God? Is there someone who truly wants to be “more blessed” because they have not seen and yet do believe?