BETTER THAN JONAS

God is a God of signs and wonders, He never pour out his wrath on the children of men without first giving some indication of his intent, power, might, faithfulness and ability to perform that which he said he would. We first see God bringing these together to bring the Children of Israel out of Egypt, with a mighty hand.

Throughout the Scriptures we see God on various levels providing signs for his people and even their enemies to follow, that they may have an understanding of what is to come. Signs are signals to be observed and obeyed, either to the positive or the negative, to the better or the worst, to life eternal or to death. The children of Israel knew the power and benefits of these signs. As they waited for their king who would deliver Israel, to come, they kept looking for some sign that by their understanding would let them know when he was coming and who he was. But their separation from God and their lack of understanding would not let them recognize this Sign; even as He was present and in their midst. It is really bad when you are looking for someone and he is with you, but you just don’t know it. They were asking Him for signs that would indicate who He was and when His coming would be: Certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees asked Him saying: “Master, we would see a sign from thee” (Matthew 12:38). The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven (Matthew 16:1). As he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately saying: “tell us, when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3). Christ in one of his answers told them: “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here” (Matthew 12: 39 - 41). Jonas was a sign, to the people of Nineveh; a good sign, for the people of Nineveh repented of their sins and worshipped God in sackcloth and ashes and with fasting and were spared the wrath of God.

Now Christ: THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION was a sign unto the Jews of his day; who were waiting for the coming of the Messiah, their king who would free them from bondage and rule over them. Christ did not fit that picture. He did not look or behave like a king as they knew kings to be. Yet in every aspect of his life and his being he was a King and the Sign they were asking for. He was that Sign by his birth and the glorious worship that accompanied His birth (Luke 2). He was that Sign, strong in Spirit, filled with wisdom with the grace of God on Him (Luke 2: 40). He was that sign turning water into wine.  He was that sign full of virtue. He was that sign: a miracle working God. He was that sign full of grace and truth. He was that sign by his feeding of the multitude. He was that sign by his healing power. He was that sign by his life giving power, raising the dead back to life. He was that sign having command over evil spirits. He was that sign by His preaching’s and teachings. He was that sign by His humility and meekness. He was that sign by His life changing and life giving properties. He was that sign by His dispensation of power to the lowly that His disciples could go out and do the same work that He was doing. Yes He was that sign doing what no king had done before, but they knew not who or what they were looking for. A Sign BETTER THAN JONAS had come; the True Sign was present but they did not follow. Unlike the people of Nineveh, they were not in sackcloth and ashes fasting; they were not ready to repent, even though repentance was been preached to them. They had their Sign; the King had come and they esteem Him not because they did not believe Him neither the host of witnesses. Their waiting was in vain.

Let us not be like those un-believers who knew not the LORD; that our waiting might not be in vain. For in a time appointed he will return to gather those who believe; who are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For: “it is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1: 16). Desire a better country, a Heavenly one. “God is not ashamed to be called your God: He has prepared for you a city” (Hebrews 11:16); in due season we will reap if we faint not. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. May the abundant blessings of God be on your life always. Love you plenty.

W. Bennett