For just as Jonah… so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. – Matthew 12:40
In days of confusion and anguish, sometimes people just want a sign that tells them God is still around. They are looking for signs that He exists. Today, even more are looking to see how He might be moving in and through their lives. In Jesus’ days on Earth, it was no different. He was followed by crowds looking for miracles, watching for healings, signs of His power over creation. The people wanted proof that He was who He said He was, the Promised Son of God.
The Pharisees, who were learned in the Scriptures and who should have been the first to recognize Him, sought signs also. Jesus rebuked them, then prophetically spoke of what would happen to Him, and He used Jonah for His illustration. But for many, what He told them wasn’t enough. They had no faith to believe Him.
Isn’t it ironic that all the while people today are seeking signs of God’s existence and His movement in the world, God is looking for faith? He wants you to seek Him, not signs. It may seem strange only days beyond the celebration of the birth of Jesus to talk about His death and resurrection. Yet, both are miracles essential to your personal salvation and to your ongoing faith. God is all around you, moving in and through you. Keep seeking Him. Intercede for those among the nation’s leaders who may be seeking to find the faith to just know that Jesus is who He said He is, and believe on Him before the year is out.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 12:40
For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 12:38-45
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 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. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
