The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭10‬
He said, “Go and tell this people: “ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

I find it interesting in life, when your biggest critics ask you to do something to prove yourself, knowing full well that whatever you do, they will not approve of. This is the situation Jesus found himself in.

So Jesus has a little fun with these Pharisees and Sadducees. He mentions signs that even children can read as the types of signs their abilities can understand. He is basically saying, “You are really good at identifying rain clouds and predicting rain an hour or so in advance. Or seeing only a few small clouds, you are amazing at predicting fair weather a few hours in advance.”

Jesus does this to point out that they do not have depth of insight. Then he calls them out — he says, spiritually, they are blinded to the signs of the times. All around Jesus, at his birth, his confirmation, his baptism, and in his ministry are signs that God has his hand on him. And Jesus himself was the biggest sign, through all the prophesied he fulfilled and the miracles, signs, and healings he performed. And in spite of this, these so-called leaders cannot even see what the ordinary Jew sees. They are blinded by the pursuits of a sinful life.

“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” (I John‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬) Greed, Power, Position, Prestige — these were all things the Pharisees and Sadducees craved. They craved these things instead of a right relationship with God.

Jesus did, however, give them an old sign that pointed to a future event. Jonah spent three days on the belly of a big fish, in essence dead. Jesus would spend three days in a tomb before his resurrection.

Lord, open my eyes wider still and help me to listen for your voice and see your hands at work in this evil world. I want to join you in your work! May your truth shine like a bright beacon!