When I was growing up, I learned some wise sayings from my parents. They were never treated as new, they were treated as wisdom that has been passed on.

One of those sayings was, “Red sky in morning, sailor take warning. Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.” It is a reasonably accurate forecasting tool, thanks to prevailing winds and crud in the atmosphere.

Although the Pharisees may not have known the science, they knew the saying. They knew that by looking at the signs in the sky, they could predict the weather, at least a little.

I’m guessing that they thought Jesus was mocking them when they started the conversation in Matthew 16.

The religious leaders asked him for a sign from heaven. They were testing him.  They wanted him to do a miracle. But they meant it as showing off, which Jesus never did. He was more interested in people than in miracles.

Rather than a miracle, he starts to talk about weather. They want a sign from heaven, Jesus starts talking about the skies.

It had to feel like teasing.

Then he tells them that they have all the sign they are going to get in Jonah.

Jesus made this reference before, back in Matthew 12. There he explained it, here in Matthew 16, he doesn’t. He just walks away.

There are times when people have no interest in conversation, in understanding. They are interested in litmus tests, in exciting proofs, in entertainment. They demand the answer in their terms, on their stage,  to their criteria.  And if Jesus doesn’t meet their criteria, they consider him a failure or a threat.

Jesus is never interested in entertainment or performances or tests. He gave tests rather than taking them. He turned the quiz on its head.

That’s how he is. Take warning.