THE SIGN OF JONAH
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. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. —Luke 11:30-32
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. —Matthew 12:40
Jesus referred to the historical record of Jonah’s ministry to draw a parallel to what would happen to Him. Here is a prophesy that Jesus mentioned that would be a sign to that present generation, as well as all others, by rising from the dead just as Jonah was released from the belly of the fish.
The resurrection of Jesus is the declaration that Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). Without the resurrection then “we are to be pitied more than all men” (I Corinthians 15:19). We are to be pitied because if Jesus did not rise then “our hope in Christ is for this life alone” and how different is that than putting hope in any other man for this life only?” And “if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (I Corinthians 15:16-17). “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (I Corinthians 15:20) just as He said He would.
Somebody mentioned yesterday that if there was a school shooting and a teacher huddled together hiding with students and said, “Let’s pray in Jesus Name!” That teacher could be fired! But if that same teacher used Jesus’ Name as a filthy cuss Word, taking His Name in vain, that would be OK. What is that all about? Well, here is what it is all about— If Jesus did not rise from the dead then people would not use His Name as a filth world to punctuate there speech. It is because He has risen from the dead and their speech spews forth their rebellion against Him. One of the Ten Commandments, the third one, says, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). It is because of rebellion against the Lord that they use His Name this way.
You will not hear any other name profaned as the Name of Jesus is. Why is that? Because Jesus is Lord and He is alive and people do not want to bow the knee to Him, but have no problem blaspheming His glorious Name. Jesus gave this warning to those around Him then and to us now— “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins” (John 8:24). There are only two ways to die— 1- in your sins and wind up in Hell forever or 2- in Christ and be with Him in heaven forever. You have the choice to make if you are still in your sins. Turn from your own ways and call on the Name of Jesus to be saved and sure of heaven! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw&t=2s Live for Him now!
Dear Father, thank You for all Jesus has done for me. Oh, that many more people would see that they are in their sin and need to be in Christ Jesus to be forgiven. Please draw many others to Jesus by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Yes, may this be so!