The sign of Jonah

Hymns: 281, 108wisdom, 529, How great the Father’s love for us

Readings: , , ,

Introduction.

Chapter dealing with growing opposition to Jesus from the local and national leaders- especially the religious leaders. They were in the process of rejecting Him.

Despite all that he is and all that he has done -Leaders come and ask for a sign from heaven!

Today - Living in a generation of scoffers… not even seeking a sign any more. Almost at the point where they are saying in public that there is no possible evidence that could ever convince them of the reality of God and of the reality of salvation.

Jesus teaches us here that such a generation will be characterised by evil and adultery. Marriage breakdown and a general carelessness about moral standards. The foundations for morality have been undermined.

Why? Because there is already sufficient evidence and the real reason for unbelief is moral. It is a choice for sin and a rejection of righteousness. It is a course of refusing to repent of what we know to be wrong.

Jesus speaks of three evidences that ought to result in repentance and the determination to seek for Christ.

1. The unique sign of the greatest wisdom

Practical wisdom- No one wants to follow a leader who will turn out to have been a fool! Leader do not like saying we were wrong!

The wisdom of Solomon has become proverbial throughout the world.

I love the fascinating ancient description of the court of Solomon and his greatness:

Famous in his own generation for his wisdom. The wonderful description of the arrival of the Queen of Sheba(Yemen).Handels beautiful piece of Music-

The reputation of Solomon resulted in a long and arduous journey of a GENTILE woman to seek the truth.

Means willingness to undergo what may be a difficult process!

Are we willing to endure difficulty in seeking the true wisdom?

2. The unique sign of the greatest message

Few bestseller writers…few speeches remembered 100 years later.

Jesus is the central character in the greatest ever bestseller. Jesus’ words are remembered 2000 years later- many becoming part of ordinary language.

A greater preacher – higher rank – more important revelation

The consequences of rejecting the greatest preacher.

The judgement – the highest court and its witnesses

What an awesome picture Jesus paints- all these long forgotten witnesses standing up and giving testimony. All the long relied upon but pathetic excuses crumbling- The reality of the guiltiness of my life carefully and clearly and convincingly being proved and demonstrated.

Re-awakened conscience…joseph’s brothers..Herod…it is John!

Interesting that Jonah was one of the very few prophets and messengers who was sent to the Gentiles

V18 Jesus has been spoken of as the one who will show forth the reality of justice and judgement to the Gentiles.

Jesus has spoken of an alternative judgement that brings to victory – he brings this greatest of messages of salvation from sin and death and restoration of all things to God. He in himself is the one who is bringing this great salvation to men. Incomparable message! God’s judgement is being imposed on an innocent but willing substitute bringing full salvation.

3. The unique sign of the greatest power

Donald Trump wants to give a sign of great power to Hassan Rouhani.

Cyber attack on his weapons systems…

There was yet going to be one unique sign….Sign of Jonah!

The terrible picture of Jonah being thrown into the sea – certain death.

The depth of the sea in a terrible storm.Great sea monster swallows

The experience of the monsters belly!

Whether there was physical evidence of his experience on his body. I would suggest that there was by analogy with the Lord Jesus and also from the situation in chapter 4 perhaps special sensitivity of his skin to the sun.

Imagine the story in the Newspapers in Nineveh.

Then imagine Jonah himself turning up.

It was a miraculous return to life after exposure to certain death.

Consciences stirred and pricked. à repentance.

Jesus proved he is the Messiah by conquering death itself.

Calibre of the men who were witnessesThe message was hung exclusively upon the reality of this paranormal eventThe sufferings they were prepared to undergo as witnessesThe nature of the sign – there are few ancient, serious, well substantiated claims to life after death.The relationship of the sign to the nature of the life and teaching of Christ.The prediction of Christ prior to the event.The empty tomb and the events in Jerusalem.The rapid spread of Christianity within the lifetime of those who witnessed the events described in the gospels.

Conclusion

greater than Solomon in wisdom

greater preacher and a greater message than the prophet Jonah

greatest sign

Message to that generation…

You of all people in the world should be ready to repent and seek Him.

You have so many advantages! Yet you do not take the situation seriously – you dismiss his signs as black magic, you reject his wisdom and dismiss his message from God as the ravings of a madman.

You will not escape condemnation – There are plenty of examples of people who have shown a far greater response to God with far less evidence!

Warning – implied – Queen of Sheba – a gentile woman from the ends of the earth – she came! Men of Nineveh – Gentile city state – they repented!

If you do not seek God, If you do not repent – the message will be taken away from you to those who will.

Think seriously about ourselves – how deep is our repentance toward the preacher greater than Jonah? How diligent is our seeking of him?

Turing away from what you know is wrong in your life.-Practical change.

Radical decisions need to be made-May mean wholesale change in your life.

Turning to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his son from heaven.