The Sign of Jonah

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 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.   Luke 11:29-32
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The Sign of Jonah
The human heart looks for signs. It loves to be impressed and wowed by the things around it. The people were excited to see the deaf hear and the blind see. They marveled at the lame that walked again at the Word of Jesus. They came just for the signs. We would love to see the signs, too. Lights and laser shows impress us. Jesus comes not to wow us with miracles and great feats like walking on water. He comes to die on the cross and rise again. So, when the evil and wicked generation asks for more signs. When our sinful hearts long for a miracle or two, Jesus points us to the only sign that saved you from eternal death: his cross. Something greater than all the other signs and wonders, something greater than the wisdom of Solomon, something far greater has come for your redemption. Jesus dies on the cross and is buried in the belly of the earth like Jonah in the belly of the fish. And like the fish that vomited up the Prophet Jonah on dry land, so also the grave vomited up Jesus. He died to take away our sins but rose for our justification. This is the sign that endures to all eternity. Amen.