The Sign of Jonah
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"Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to Him, Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.' He answered, 'A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:38-40)."
Throughout the ministry of Jesus many people were asking Jesus for signs. Herod and others were looking for Jesus to perform supernatural feats for them. The religious teachers of the day were asking for Jesus to give poof that He was who He claimed to be. They wanted evidence that they could trust His words and that He had the authority to say and do the things that He was doing. They were asking Jesus for signs as poof even though Jesus had already performed many miracles. However, Jesus refused to give them a specific on the spot sign that they were desiring. Rather, He simply remained quiet and endured the punishment for our sin and guilt as He went to the cross.
The people came to Jesus asking to see some sort of sign. Today, many people look to God and ask that He would give us a sign that we might know what He says is true or which direction in life we should go. People look to the stars, psychics, luck, a lightning bolt or voice from heaven, experiences and other such things for signs in their lives. But Jesus's answer to the Pharisees and teachers of the law still holds true for us as well. There is only one sign that He will give - the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of a fish so the Son of man would be in the tomb three days. Just as Jonah was freed again from the belly of the great fish so also Jesus would rise from the dead on the third day.
The greatest sign, the greatest miracle ever performed was the resurrection. Jesus rose from the dead just as He said He would. The final verdict was now evident. Jesus was and still is alive! He has overcomes sin, death and the power of the devil for us. Because Jesus lives we too will live. Because Jesus has risen from the dead we have forgiveness and eternal life. The victory is ours. Jesus has given us the greatest sign there is so that our faith can be certain. We do not need to look for other signs and wonders for we have the sign of Jonah. Jesus has risen and is alive. Our salvation is certain and our faith can rest securely in Christ.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 22 and following we are told this: "Jews demand miraculous sign and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." For some in this world Christ may seem like foolishness, but to us who have been given faith this is the greatest sign of all time. Our faith is certain. Christ has overcome our sin. He has risen from the dead. He is alive and so we also will live through faith in Him. This season of Easter may God bless each and every one of us with such assurance and joy at this sign of Jonah. CHRIST JESUS HAS RISEN! HE HAS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!
Pastor Schoenfeld
Something Everyone Needs to Know
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Ever since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3) every human being has come into this world as a sinful being. Our sin separates us from God. Left to ourselves we would perish for eternity in hell (John 3:36 & Hebrews 10:26-27).
“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God loves you so much that He came into this world as a human being (Luke 2:1-20). Jesus, the Son of God, lived a perfect life for you (Hebrews 4:14-16), suffered and died upon a cross for you (John 19), and rose from the dead for you (Luke 24). Now our risen Lord will forgive your sin (1 John 1:8-9) and grant eternal salvation to you if you believe in Him.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved…” Acts 16:31
When God blesses you with a living faith in Jesus you will have a place in heaven. Such salvation comes not by our works but by grace through faith in Jesus (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-10).
“And He died for all, that those who live, should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15
Now as those who have been given the gift of heaven we live no longer just for ourselves but to serve God and our fellow human beings. (Ephesians 2:10)