Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

John 2:18 The Jews therefore answered him, "What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?"

How does one prove they are of God to someone who is looking to murder you? This is a provocative question of course, but nonetheless that is precisely what was happening here with those questioning the Christ. These Jews had a mission, and that mission was fueled by the most noble of causes, not to let Christ corrupt the truth of their faith. Once that road was crossed it became a mission to trap Christ in his words to convicted him of sinning against their law.

1Tim.1:9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;

Proverbs 29:27 A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.

In other words, mocking God by trapping the light of our world in word. How shameful and arrogant religious people can become! Next they ask Jesus to give them a sign, what sign would have made them believers? Many Christian's love the idea of giving the world a sign, thinking this will save them, this will covert them into believing, but is that how God converted them? If so, then that is what they will teach, and that will be the type of religion they will seek out, one that is always giving one sign after another so they can keep having faith.

Luke 11:29 When the multitudes were gathering together to him, he began to say, "This is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah, the prophet.

Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Christ did not give signs for a show, he did not make a circus out of what was a very serious matter, our eternal life. Christ was not impressed with men and their glory; those trying to impress others, will not do God's work. God signs, if given, are for God's glory, for a very specific purpose.

Proverbs 11:18 Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of Yahweh from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the breath of Yahweh drives.

So Christ gives these faulty finders not a sign, but a powerful answer. When they broke down the life of Christ into death, as that was their purpose to destroy him. God would raise his life up, in three, and half days that would be their sign. What they sought to kill by their laws, God would reject their judgments, and bring to life Christ declaring them unrighteous and his Son of God righteous, not a law breaker, but a perfect man that overcame the corruption of this world by God's good works.

Heb.1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
1:8 But unto the Son [he saith], Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [is] the sceptre of thy kingdom.
1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Rejection and shame would cover these Jews at the destruction of their beloved temple service, and glory and honor would go to God's real temple in the resurrected life of Christ Jesus. Here is a lesson for those seeking first place, here is a lesson for those thinking they have some knowledge of God making them the authority of God to judge others. One mistake in human calculation can cost us eternal life, for its is the least of Christ brothers the same judgment will be made at the end of this world!

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Luke 14:8 "When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, don't sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him.

Matt.25:40 "The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers{The word for "brothers" here may be also correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."}, you did it to me.' 25:41 Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
25:42 for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; 25:43 I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' 25:44 "Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?' 25:45 "Then he will answer them, saying, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.'
25:46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

See also: www.nu-truth.com