We are living in a society of sign seekers. Nothing new nor different from ancient days. In Hospice, countless people spoke of God sending special items to reveal a message. The most prevalent was a cardinal.

As you know, variant meanings lie behind this eye catching bird. There must be some reason the cardinal draws attention during loss above other winged creatures. 

Perhaps for Christians, a cardinal’s sign is its color. Red. A sign of blood. It scares us when we slice a finger. It comforts when reminding us of the cross. Redemption, a daily reminder when we blow it. How else can we live with ourselves? 

Or the sign could be death wearing powerful wings. Signifying today we are raised in Christ unto the Heavenly places. Or a destination when we exit this earth. How comforting when this world drags us into depression. Hope in another moment when Jesus steps in or in a land paved with gold.  There is an end to pain, no matter how bad today gets. 

Maybe the sign is when our frailness is exposed and we are afraid. Cardinals could care less what’s outside. They are suited up for any stormy night. Their lighthearted feathers protect them as Christ clothes us. Maybe we need to see what’s inside our temple’s closet. Jesus gave you a robe. Now pull it off the hanger of unbelief and wear it. Robed in His righteousness, His brilliance shines into demon dens, disease and disasters; shattering Satan far from you. 

Oh may we all find faith which exuberates from the bird’s attitude. Without fear, cardinals are taking flight without gathering information first. Free, without reason clipping their wings. Now for a Word from a greater sponsor, Scripture.

Scripture’s Conclusion

Maybe the cardinal landing at your feet fluttered a bit of faith within your heart. However, sign seekers aren’t exercising the highest measure of faith. Instead they are grappling for goodies on the earth, like kids at parades finding candy on hot pavement. It is time we stand up against this worldliness. In fact, Jesus scolded the Sadducees and Pharisees for tempting Him with such nonsense.  Sitting smack dab in front of them, the sign they ever would need was Himself.  

Friend, find fulfillment in Christ rather than roaming the streets and scraping the earth’s crust for a sign.  A cardinal will fly away, vanish. Do you want to rely on short lived hope with wings? Look beyond your surroundings and see the Savior. Read about the sign in the Word and receive comfort the way God intended.

(In the following two accounts, Matthew’s included Jonah as the sign.  This prophet foreshadowed or represented the redemption which would come through Jesus.) 

And the Pharisees came forth and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. Mark 8:11-12

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall be no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. Matthew 16:1-4