And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. – Jonah 1:17
The biblical account of Jonah is familiar to many. He believed in the Lord but did not want to do what God had called him to—a mission trip to Ninevah. So despairing was he that he intentionally boarded a ship heading a different direction. You will recall that the ship’s mariners and all on board were soon faced with a mighty tempest. By a throw of the dice, the sailors determined that Jonah was the cause of the terrible storm and Jonah acknowledged to them that he had deserted an order from God. At Jonah’s instruction, in order to survive, they tossed him overboard. That is where God’s own detour for Jonah took over. You know the account of Jonah, how God kept him in the belly of a fish for three days and three nights, ultimately discharging him where He wanted him to go in the first place.
In his Gospel, Matthew recalls a time when Jesus was approached by some scribes and Pharisees, always in pursuit of Jesus, and this time looking for some “sign” from Him that would give them more ammunition against Him. But Jesus confounded them by likening Himself to the prophet Jonah when he said, “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” (Matthew 12:40). Jesus was, of course you know from Scripture, referencing the time he would be buried after his death before being resurrected.
Theologian Matthew Henry writes, “The great sign of our Lord’s mission is his resurrection, and his preparing a gospel of salvation for the heathen. His life-story is well symbolized by that of Jonah. They cast our Lord overboard, even as the sailors did the man of God. The sacrifice of Jonah calmed the sea for the mariners, our Lord’s death made peace for us. Our Lord was a while in the heart of the earth as Jonah was in the depth of the sea, but, he rose again, and his ministry was full of the power of his resurrection.”
God’s power is great. It was shown in a miraculous way in the experience of Jonah. So much more was His power revealed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you recognize His power, be ready and willing to submit to His calling. Every believer has a purpose—a mission. Yours may not be Ninevah, but it might be a neighbor. Let the power of God, through His Holy Spirit, give you direction. Then follow Him in obedience.
Today’s Verse: Jonah 1:17
And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
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: John 19:30, 38-20:10
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
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.
