Luke 11:29-32
The Sign of Jonah
29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus Forgives a Paralyzed Man, then Heals Him
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
We put a lot of importance on miracles...I know I do...I think the miracles that Jesus did are great...And to see one personally would be even greater...Seeing a Jesus Miracle would make one believe that He is from God and Divine...I think many atheists would believe in Jesus if they saw a miracle (although not all would believe, I think)...But Jesus, I am not sure He really liked to do miracles, or at least miracle after miracle to prove who He is...He told us two thousand years ago that, "This is a wicked generation...It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah...For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation...The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here...The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here."...
Jesus is greater than Solomon, and He can do miracles...And we still ask for miracles, or at least I still do, and I often still ask...After all, He is a God that can do miracles...But He did not just go around and do miracles minute after minute when He was on earth, like I might do if I were divine and more like Him...Jesus places the priorities first...Jesus' miracles teach us about His Divine Power to heal those around Him...These are great signs and are meant to turn our attention to the kingdom of God...Miracles get our solid attention...Jesus is not in a big hurry to heal the lame one immediately...But the first thing He does for the paralyzed person is to forgive Him...Forgiveness of one's sins is more important than the healing of this crippled man...