The Sign Of Jonah part 2

Introduction

We spoke to you the last time we were together on what Jesus called the ‘sign of Jonah.’ Today, I would like to continue our discussion on this subject by examining another place where Jesus used this phrase.

Luke 11:29, 30

Jonah wasn’t simply a sign to Israel, but he was a sign to the Ninevites. What kind of sign was he to the people of Nineveh? We know that he was a sign to Israel that God will deliver those who humble themselves and repent. This was the ‘sign’ Jesus said he would give to the stubborn religious leaders of His day, that deliverance/salvation will be given to you if you humble yourselves and repent just like it was given to Jonah. But, the sign of Jonah does not begin and end with him spending three days in the belly of a fish and afterwards being delivered. Like the Jesus, the sign that Jonah reveals to us also includes the preaching of his word!

Moreover, it was the preaching of the word that was the sign given to the Ninevites. The Ninevites didn’t repent because they learned that Jonah was delivered from the fish after he humbled for three days. Jonah didn’t say, “Boys, you would believe the week I’ve had! Let me tell you about it.” No. Jonah came preaching the word, and the Ninevites were converted (repented) at the preaching of his word. And the important point to note is the fact that Jesus reveals that this too is a sign!

In other words, the preaching that caused the Ninevites to repent was just as much of a sign (supernatural) as the miracle of Jonah being delivered from the belly of the fish! Moreover, his preaching was validation that Jonah was truly sent from God.

The Ninevites didn’t repent simply because they heard the words of Jonah. The Ninevites repented because they believe they were hearing the words of Jonah’s God (1Thessalonians 2:13). While it is true that the word is only effective (powerful) in those who believe, it is also true that only a word of power can produce such faith. It takes words of power to produce faith in God’s power (1Corinthians 2:4, 5). The words we preach today is lacking power, which is why men are demanding God to demonstrate His power tangibly through miracles. It seems miracles are the only way men in this generation are getting a chance to witness the power of God!

Jonah is a reminder that God’s power can be demonstrated tangibly or through the preaching of the word. Both can be supernatural or a sign that God is at work (1Corinthians 14:22). Here the Apostle Paul has placed men into two groups: believing or unbelieving. When Paul uses the word ‘unbelieving’ he’s not referring to men who have never heard the gospel (i.e. the unlearned). Instead, he’s referring to those who have heard but refuse to believe or obey (1Corinthians 14:24, 25). What I want you to notice is the fact that the ‘sign’ that is effective with believers is the same as the sign is effective among unbelievers (rejectors of the truth). Believers are convinced by an inspired word from the Lord (prophesying). On the other hand, unbelievers (people who reject the word) require signs that are more visible or tangible. However, those signs that are given to unbelievers (people who reject the word) will typically be the kind of signs that brings conviction or even condemnation! People who reject the word aren’t normally convinced/repent until God rebukes them in some way (John 16:8, 9).

The sign God gives to Ninevites (believers), isn’t necessarily the same sign He gives to Pharisees (unbelievers). Either He’s going to deal with us as Ninevites, in which case He offers us the preached word. Or, He’s going to deal with us as Pharisees, in which case He offers us a sign of rebuke in hopes that we humble ourselves and repent.

Again, we tend to think that it’s a good thing for God to show people a sign or a miracle, because then they’ll become believers. However, the truth is that if a person needs a miracle in order to believe, then that’s a rebuke against them and a sign that they aren’t ready to take God at His word. It’s not necessarily a good thing (blessing) to require God to prove Himself before we will believe Him (John 20:26-29)!

Forcing God to prove Himself by giving you a sign or miracle, will almost always guarantee that you will come out of that experience feeling convicted or condemned (Luke 5:4-8). Did Simon rejoice after receiving this miracle from Jesus, or was he ashamed? Ashamed, of course.

Only the disobedient and hardhearted require a sign in order to believe. Moreover, if God were to give such a person a sign, it would probably be a sign that brings rebuke, rather than relief.

Luke 11:27

The bible says this woman was ‘of the company’ (verse 27). Does this mean she was in the same company or category as the Pharisees?

Watch out for those who are always trying to flatter God. Saying nice things about God isn't the same as (or as good as) believing or being obedient to God (verse 28)!

Also, it seems we always bring attention or honor to the WRONG things. This woman thought it was important to bring attention to or honor the one who gave birth to Jesus and fed Him milk. However, the real blessing is not giving birth to Jesus or nursing Him (feeding Him milk). The real blessing is keeping and obeying His word!

We like to celebrate when people come to faith, and we even quote passages like Luke 15:7. However, is this passage celebrating those who come to faith (or believe the gospel), or is it celebrating those who come to repentance and are converted? The parable of the Prodigal Son (which follows this verse) is a story of a man that doesn’t just believe His father’s bread (word) was more desirable than anything he could find in the world, but it is a story of a man who acted on that belief by returning home (repenting). We like to think that believing and repenting are the same things, but you can believe without repenting or being converted (John 12:42). To be converted you must act on what you believe. "