(Matthew 12:38-43)
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign; and so no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
TODAY'S TAKEAWAY
When God in flesh is right in front of someone - talking to them and performing miracles and speaking truth - and THEN they ask for a sign - clearly, their eyes and ears are not opened. People deliberately shut themselves off to the truth because they have no desire to see or hear it. It's fascinating how that works! I know that I've done this sort of thing on various topics or at various times, simply because I selfishly want to see what I want to see. And even in praying, how often have I asked for something because I WANT it, while I should be seeking out what I need. In fact, very often, the things we want, are the very things that will hurt us.
Even though Jonah didn't want to go preach to the people of Nineveh, because those people were enemies of Israel, God knew what was needed. But Jonah either thought that he was going to be wasting his time and/or thought he was putting his life in danger by going to them... or even worse, thought that if they should repent, God would save them - those people that Jonah saw as unworthy enemies. But we all fall short of God's glory. Jonah wasn't any better or worthier to be saved.
Now, while Jonah suffered for 3 days and nights in the belly of a big fish because of his own sin of disobedience, Jesus suffered and died, and was buried for 3 days and nights, because of all our sins. And just like the Lord delivered Jonah from the fish's belly, so that he could then obediently do as the Lord asked, the Lord can deliver anyone who repents of their sins so that we can then obediently do and live as the Lord asks. In the Lord's forgiveness, we die to sin, and in the Lord's righteousness we live through Him. Because of what He accomplished in His death and resurrection, we can have victory over sin and death.
Just like the Queen of Sheba who traveled a long distance, from Ethiopia, just to hear God's wisdom from the mouth of Solomon, and believe, those who seek out God's Truth and embrace it, will be saved. It doesn't matter who we are or what color our skin is, God came in flesh to pay the price of all sin, for all people, of all time, all to His glory. It is our choice to want to open our spiritual eyes and ears to find and know His truth! And in His truth, most importantly, we find a loving, personal relationship with the Lord God, Himself!!!
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