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Show THE SIGN OF JONAH Matthew 12: 38-41; Jonah 1: 11: 29-32 17; Luke thing common about people of every generation it is that they are always looking for some kind of sign, signs of the times like earthquakes in strange places, unusual and unexpected storms, some proof or illustration of what God has to say. Why cannot we just take If there is one God at His word? If He said that sufficient? it, is not people in Jesus' day were looking and asking for a sign. Jesus prayed, then taught His disciples. He taught them how to pray. He taught them not to give up. He taught them how to treat their The children and how God treated His. He 1 taught them how to avoid blasphemy. taught them the worthlessness of self reformation. our Then, He comes He to what is sign of Jonah. together and in text to teach them the The people gather close great number. He looks sees their out upon then, condition, and reports, "This is generation, an evil and adulterous generation. Imagine if you will that His time is running out, that He is about ready to depart from this human life, that His departure is not going to be easy. The people wanting a sign and Jesus wanting them to understand, Jesus gives to the people the sign of Jonah, the prophet. "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whales's belly; so shall the Son ofMan be three days and three an evil " 2 nights in the heart of the earth. The men ofNineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, beheld, a greater than Jonah (Matthew 12: 40-41) Using the experience of Jonah, our Lord confirms the historicity of Jonah and predicts His is here. own " burial with resurrection. powerful message to an untoward generation. He does not want them to be shocked or surprised by any of the things that will happen to Him at What a the hands of men. He wants them to know that He will die for r sure and just as again. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2: 19) There is something special about that number three: the sun, sure, He will rise up " 3 the moon, and the stars; water, earth, and sky; faith, hope, and love; The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus took three of His disciples- Peter, James, and John--up to the they Mountain of Transfiguration. There glorified along with Moses and Elijah. They were so excited that they wanted to stay there and offered to saw the Lord build three tabernacles. Jesus had to remind them that while there may be celebration on the mountain top, work remains in the valley. (Matthew 17: 1-13) drink all the alcohol you want and drug yourself up real high, but when You can down the problems you sought to escape will still be there. Jesus came to the cross and wept over you a come wicked generation. He died 4 on the cross but it was not just His death that made the difference for you and me. He stayed three days and three nights in the tomb to evidence His death and early on day morning He got up with all power in His hands. The sign of Jonah three days and three nights in the belly of the third the whale is that Jesus would be three night is the earth. The Ninevites repented at the preaching of Jonah and we ought to repent because a days and three greater than Jonah is here. His name is Jesus. Jonah had to repent Himself of his own sin. Jesus was sinless yet became sin for us all. He paid the the debt of our sin. 5 full price for |
