The Jews were looking for a Messiah and 3 things defined his coming. These are manna, rule and a sign. To be convinced that Jesus was the Messiah the Jews were therefore demanding a sign.

In his period of time in the wilderness Jesus would have been discussing this issue of signs with the Father and Holy Spirit, and how they could illustrate the Kingdom of God. In response to this discussion, the devil frames his third temptation. He suggests a sign where Jesus takes a suicidal leap from the highest point of the temple and instead of falling flat on his face, for people to see angels catching him and preventing his death. The Jews would place particular meaning on this happening at the temple in Jerusalem, the centre of their religion.

The sign proposed by the devil would be a selfish, foolhardy, irresponsible, unnatural and insane act. Other than providing something to marvel at, it would be a pointless exercise.

The devil tries to support his proposal by quoting Psalm 91. However, the context of this passage is deliverance from dangers that can afflict a person when going about their normal life, not deliberate acts of foolishness. The devil stops short of quoting the section of the Psalm that prophesies his failure, a picture of a serpent trampled by the person who trusts in God!

Jesus is not against the use of signs (for example there a number of miracles and healings recorded in the next paragraphs written by Luke). However, for each he appears to have a specific purpose. He followed up the miraculous fish catch with teaching that resulted in people following him, he links the healing of leprosy to cleansing under the Law and the healing of the paralysed man a challenge to the thinking of the religious leaders. 

The other issue with regard to signs is that of testing. Jesus replies to the devil by quoting Deuteronomy again, as he did in response to the other temptations ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’. By throwing himself off the temple he would have tested God’s response, forcing him to react by saving Jesus and not letting him die.

Therefore, when looking at the subject of signs we need to consider both purpose and testing.

There is a testing of obedience with Adam as son of God, where God provides everything he needs but wishes to protect his innocence during his period of growing up and therefore forbids him access to the knowledge of good and evil. Adam fails this test. This resulted in the death of an animal to cover their sin, followed by Abel’s murder, and the blood of Abel becomes a sign.

The birth of Israel as a national ‘son of God’ is accompanied by many signs relating to their deliverance. Exodus chapter 3 has a bush burning but not being consumed and Moses was given the power to use signs in fulfilling his task of bringing deliverance to the people. The purpose was for recognition of God and to bring about deliverance. The wilderness period was a period of testing and, as with Adam, this son of God failed the tests and complained rather than trusted God for deliverance. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 16, that makes reference to Massah. This was where the people were thirsty and tested God. They quarrel and when tested enquire ‘Is the Lord among us, or not? God gave a sign by bringing water from a rock. God provided a sign but this was an example of what He does not want to do. He wants his ‘son’ to trust Him, to know that He will provide all he requires, such as a drink when he is thirsty. He does not want to provide signs to His ‘son’ in order to generate faith in his father! He longs for us to rest in His care and trust Him to provide what we need.

Purpose of Signs

Signs are not an end in themselves, they are signposts, giving directions to somewhere. Jesus therefore exercises care in the use of signs. His purpose is to preach the Kingdom of God and his use of signs is to that end.

His main sign that he fulfils himself is through his death on the cross, the ultimate sacrifice fulfilling the sign of Abel’s blood. When challenged to provide a sign, Jesus mentions the story of Jonah and prophesies his own death and resurrection. The same prophesy is made in response to a sign with reference to the temple. The cross is the ultimate sign of the power of God.

On-going Purpose of Signs

Although the greatest sign was that pointing to the cross, the church has continued to experience, expect and demonstrate, signs and wonders. They are listed as some of the gifts of the Spirit. 

There are examples where God responds to tests. As well as the people being led by Moses in the wilderness mentioned above, there are the examples of Gideon and Thomas. However, these occurred at the initial stages of belief and God’s hope is that we are able to have faith in Him and His provision without the necessity of on-going signs to bolster this faith.  

The main purpose of signs is to point to the Kingdom of God and belief in Jesus.