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(1 Cor. 9, 13–18; Matt. 16, 1–6) The Pharisees and Sadducees asked the Lord to show them a sign; but they did not even see that the sign was before their eyes. The Lord Himself was a sign; His teaching and works clearly showed who He was; no other evidence was needed. “The works that I do, they testify of Me” (John 10:25), He said to the Jews. The Lord denounced them, you know how to discern the face of heaven, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. Why did this happen to them? Because they lived an external life, but did not go inside themselves. Without composure, without attention and self-deepening of the works of God, it is impossible to notice or understand. The same thing continues to this day. Christianity is before everyone’s eyes as a true sign of God, but those who look at it do not see it, waver in faith and retreat. Their eyes lose the ability to see the stamp of divinity on it, and they are ready to ask for special signs from heaven, like the Jews. But the sign is not given and will not be given, because those who seek it are looking for it only temptingly, and not to follow the path of Christ. Just step on this path, and from the very first step you will see that it is divine, leads to God and brings God closer to you. The Lord said to the Jews: “no sign will be given... only the sign of the prophet Jonah” (Matthew 12:39, 16:4, Luke 11:29). And the Lord foresaw the present unbelievers and prepared an answer for them: “The sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven; and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn”... (Matthew 24:30) You might be interested in: