Scripture:
Matthew 12:38-42 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." (A)
39 But He answered them, (B) "An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. (C) 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, (D) because they repented at Jonah's proclamation; and look—something greater than Jonah is here! (E) 42 The queen of the south (F) will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look—something greater than Solomon is here!
Cross references:
Matthew 12:38 : Mt 16:1; Mk 8:11-12; Lk 11:16; Jn 2:18; 6:30; 1Co 1:22;
Matthew 12:39 : Mk 8:11-12; Lk 11:29-32;
Matthew 12:39 : Is 57:3; Mt 16:4; Mk 8:38;
Matthew 12:41 : Jr 3:11; Ezk 16:51; Rm 2:27;
Matthew 12:41 : Jnh 1:2; 3:5;
Matthew 12:42 : 1Kg 10:1; 2Ch 9:1;
Reflection:
What would Jesus say about our generation? Jesus gave a rather stern warning to his generation when they demanded a sign from him. It was characteristic of the Jews that they demanded "signs" from God's messengers to authenticate their claims. Jesus faulted them for one thing: spiritual adultery. The image of adultery was often used in the scriptures for describing apostasy or infidelity towards God. When the religious leaders pressed Jesus to give proof for his claims he says in so many words that he is God's sign and that they need no further evidence from heaven than his own person. The Ninevites recognized God's warning when Jonah spoke to them, and they repented. And the Queen of Sheba recognized God's wisdom in Solomon. Jonah was God's sign and his message was the message of God for the people of Nineveh. Unfortunately the religious leaders were not content to accept the signs right before their eyes. They had rejected the message of John the Baptist and now they reject Jesus as God's Anointed One (Messiah) and they fail to heed his message. Simeon had prophesied at Jesus' birth that he was "destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that inner thoughts of many will be revealed" (Luke 2:34- 35). Jesus confirmed his message with many miracles in preparation for the greatest sign of all – his resurrection on the third day. The Lord Jesus through the gift of his Holy Spirit offers us freedom from sin and wisdom for our lives, if we listen to him. Do you thirst for Godly wisdom? James says that the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity (James 3:17). A double-minded person cannot receive this kind of wisdom. The single of mind desire one thing alone– that which is good and ordered according to God's wise plan. Ask the Lord to renew your mind and to increase your thirst for his wisdom.
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, give me your wisdom and increase my love for your ways. Help me to resist temptation and all wilfulness that I may wholly desire to do what is pleasing to you.
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