The Pharisees in Mark 8:11-13 were asking for a sign from Jesus.
Mark 8:11-13- 11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
Do miraculous signs and wonders automatically change the people who see them? No.
Look at the Israelites who came out of Egypt. They were constantly belly aching and no one has seen the wonders and miraculous things they saw.
Back to the Pharisees. The Lord didn’t give them a sign. Why?
First I believe it’s because they were never looking for Jesus to be the Christ or the Messiah. In fact later on when Lazarus was raised from the dead the spiritual leaders wanted to kill Jesus and Lazarus.
John 12:9-11 – 9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
Because some people believed in Jesus and some of them because he did raise Lazarus, the Chief Priests wanted to kill them. That doesn’t sound like people who just need a miraculous sign to be saved. In fact these are supposed to be the highest Godly people in Israel plotting to do this.
Man’s heart isn’t changed by miracles. It’s changed by realizing that there is a God who made Him. It becomes changed when he realizes that he doesn’t think correctly and that there is something terribly wrong with not only himself, but everyone around him. He wants to know the truth and to find that relationship with the God who created him.
That’s where it starts. Those who seek God for only what He can do for them, quickly fade away. One needs to seek the Truth. If one earnestly seeks the Truth, they will find it.
Miraculous signs on their own do not change hearts. Everybody thinks that if Jesus just came and did a miracle that everyone would turn and believe. It’s never worked that way. That’s why there will be no excuses. We have all the proof, miracles, and resources, right near us every day today. It’s all about the heart.
Ironically the antichrist will come and do signs and wonders and him they will believe. Those who do believe him won’t have a changed heart. They won’t have a loving relationship with the antichrist that our Lords seeks.
It’s our freewill to choose what we will look for and whom we will serve.