I think that just about every Christian who has ventured out to share their faith has heard this claim at one time or another. It seems reasonable enough, “God, if you are real, show me!” Why can’t someone make that request of God, right? If He truly wants that person to worship Him, shouldn’t God do what they ask? The problem lies in this, God has already revealed Himself and a miracle would not bring that person one inch closer to saving faith than they already were.

God has revealed Himself in His written word. The Bible is sixty-six books, written by forty authors over a period of time, in different countries, with a consistent theme that God will redeem sinners through the sacrifice of His Son. It has been proven historically accurate, and has more manuscript evidence than any book of antiquity. Yet, this person determines that the Bible is not enough.

God has revealed Himself through His creation. The intricate complex design of the vast universe, from the largest star to the smallest sub-atomic particle practically screams of a Designer. In fact, there is so much evidence of design from the fact that information is built into our very genetic code (which cannot happen by accident) that many non-religious scientists have adopted the study of Intelligent Design. Yet, the vast complexity of our existence is not enough for them.

God is also revealed through the very conscience we possess. Throughout all mankind, a universal knowledge of right and wrong exists, a knowledge of good and evil. True, some societies, including our own, have attempted to alter or water down this objective morality, yet it still exists. It testifies a law that exists outside ourselves, a standard we must all be judged by. And if that law exists, then the Lawmaker exists as well. And if there is a Lawmaker, then He will one day judge us by that standard. Still, this person cries for yet more proof.

Most of all, God is revealed through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Second person of the triune God, fully God and fully Man, Creator of all things. Almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus came to Earth, took on human flesh, lived as one of us, tempted in all the ways we are, yet He never sinned. Some thirty to thirty-three years into this life, He willingly laid down His life (John 10: 17-18) to take upon Himself the wrath of God rightfully due to us. Then three days later, He rose Himself from the grave, proving His victory over sin and death. No fact of history has greater proof than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These events were recorded by eyewitnesses at the time of other eyewitnesses and would withstand the scrutiny of any legal examination. Yet, this person still demands a sign.

This demand mirrors the one made by the Jews to Christ in His day. Matthew 12: 38-40 states, “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth..” When you read this passage, on the surface, it seems like a legitimate request, just like the one at the beginning of this article. In fact, Jesus’ response almost seems inappropriate and even rude. Yet, when we look earlier in the chapter, we see two incidents that took place which shed more light on the subject.

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