Luke 11- Sign of Jonah

I want to comment on the text in Luke 11:29-31 because a student asked me about this recently. In verse 29 it says, "As the crowds increased..." and consequently we know that Jesus is a mind reader... freaky.... He knew their motives. They were coming out to see the show. I mean there is this Rabbi from Galilee casting out demons and teaching that the Kingdom of God is near. Who wouldn't want to see that? So Jesus begins to tell them how wicked this generation is because they keep seeking a 'miraculous sign.' Then Jesus says, "but none will be given except the sign of Jonah (verse 29)." Jonah was a prophet that has his own book in the old testament and he was swallowed in the belly of a whale and spit out to preach to the Ninevites that the kingdom of God is near so repent. A prophet gets spit on the shores of your country after being in the belly of a whale for 3 days, I think you might listen to him... and the Ninevites did. They turned from their sin and God had compassion on them (Jonah 3:10).

Jesus is using the story of Jonah to show that there is one greater than Jonah standing before them. Jesus knows that He will be in the tomb (belly of the whale) for 3 days and then He will rise (spit out on the shores) and preach to turn from sin and God will have compassion on you and turn away His holy wrath. Furthermore, the people that repented at the teaching of Jonah are going to stand in Judgement with Him when He comes and they will declare, 'you foolish generation! You had Jesus with you and you did not turn?! Now you will reap what you have sown.'

Jesus is saying the sign of Jonah is the 3 days that He will spend in the garden tomb and on the third day He will Rise! Repent and turn from wickedness and God will spare you. Now we know the whole tale and I must warn you friends, repent. Turn from all wickedness because in that Day the Ninevites will stand with the Judge and they will say, 'you should have known better. You have the Word and it warned you over and over again. Now you will reap what you have sown.' Don't treat Jesus like a magician that can fix your life when you need him. Don't be like the foolish people in the crowd who simply came out to see what all the racket was about. Surrender your life to Him! There is nothing greater or more valuable than His Lordship... The sign of Jonah has come and declared His authority. Will you heed His instruction?