Graham Ward: Cities of God

Christians are called upon by Christ Himself to read the signs of the times. He rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees who desired that he would show them a sign from heaven, saying ‘O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?’ (Matthew 16.3). Consistently Jesus refuses to give a sign (Matthew 12.39; Mark 8.12; Luke 11.29) for he is the sign of God’s redemptive activity in the world. And the secret spring of faith lies not in demonstration but operation: being able to read the signs that are available correctly and work with them. To read them correctly, in fact, to recognise that a sign has been given, is to read objects and actions in the world analogically and eschatologically Christ’s own teaching, preaching and healing were the signs for those with ears.