Today's Bible reading is the 16th chapter of the Book of Matthew. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016&version=NASB

Like the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus' day, religious leaders of our day, and most of the people in the world, are unable to "discern the signs of the times." Jesus pointed out that although human intellect had allowed men to discern the appearance of the sky, foreseeing fair or stormy weather, they were unable to discern the signs of the times. He proclaimed that "an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah."

A red sky in the evening was discerned as a predictor of fair weather. A red sky in the morning was discerned as a predictor for stormy weather. But the signs of the times are a much different matter. Although it would not have been the sort of sign that men would have asked for, Jesus said "the sign of Jonah" would be given them. This sign of Jonah is certainly a reference to the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The red blood of Jesus that stained Calvary's cross would not be subject to discernment by human intellect as a red sky had been. May we pray for the church leaders of our day to seek the Lord and the truth of His word in order to be discerning of the signs of the time in which we live. May God grant us wisdom as we seek to share the gospel message and trust the Holy Spirit to grant spiritual discernment of the "sign of Jonah".