Sign of Jonah, Part 1 - Luke 11:29-30

Thursday February 25

Sign of Jonah, Part 1 - Luke 11:29-30 (ESV)          

"When the crowds were increasing, [Jesus] began to say, 'This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.  For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.'"

Many of the people I serve tell me their dreams. Usually such dreams include a vision of someone who has died. Is this a sign from God?

People seek a sign. They think that if God would give them a sign then they would trust in Him. But for the unbeliever, a promise made by God and then fulfilled is never enough.

Jonah was called by God to warn the wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah proceeded to go in the opposite direction. In his heart, he knew that God was a merciful God, and he did not want to take a part in this mission of mercy to an enemy of Israel.

So God stirred up the sea, and Jonah informed his shipmates that he was the reason for the violent storm. Jonah offered up his body to be cast into the churning sea in order to appease an angry God whom he had disobeyed. Jonah’s shipmates cast Jonah into the turbulent waters, and immediately the sea became calm.

Jesus spoke the words of our text to those who knew the story and should have been able to read the sign of Jonah and make the connection between Jonah and Himself.

Jesus also gave His body as a sacrifice to appease an angry God. Jesus’ offer went ever further to the point of being utterly forsaken by His Father in Heaven and to His death. Jesus’ suffering and death paid for the sins of the wicked, including those whose lives lead them in the opposite direction away from a merciful God.   

Dear Father in heaven,
Send Your Holy Spirit down upon me and open my eyes to be able to read the signs of Jonah and Jesus in order tobelieve that Jesus paid the ultimate for my waywardness.
Amen.

Pastor Ricky Jacob - Winnebago, Nebraska