The Sign Of Jonah

The Sign of Jonah

Matthew wrote that unbelieving and scoffing Jewish leaders came to Jesus asking for a special sign to prove that he really was the long-awaited Messiah. They were not satisfied with Jesus’ many miracles of healing the sick and casting out demons. But Jesus knew that evidence was not the issue.

Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. (Matthew 12:39-40)

Certainly the Jews who heard his answer were perplexed. They knew the story of Jonah—the prophet who ran from God, was thrown into a raging sea, was swallowed by a great fish, and was spit out onto the shore three days later. What could that possibly have to do with seeing a miracle? they must have wondered. Even when Jesus told his disciples clearly that “he would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead” (Mark 8:31), they simply couldn’t understand or anticipate what Jesus meant.

Using the familiar story of Jonah, Jesus was drawing his listeners a picture that would show them exactly what he came to do—in fact, the greatest work he would do. Just as Jonah was delivered from certain death, so would Jesus be delivered from the throes of death. Just as the fish could not contain Jonah and coughed him up, so the grave would not contain Jesus. Death’s claim on Jesus would have a limit of three days.

But unlike Jonah, who ran from God’s mission for him, Jesus willingly came to accomplish his mission. And unlike Jonah, who languished in the belly of the fish, powerless to save his own life, Jesus had the authority to lay his life down and the authority to take it up again (John 10:18). Jesus gave us this sign of Jonah, the sign of miraculous, unstoppable life and of authority over death, so that we will believe, and that by believing we will have life in his name (John 20:31).

Risen Jesus, I have seen the sign of Jonah in your death and in your resurrected life. Thank you for giving me eyes to see the sign, and the faith to believe that your resurrection life is but a preview of the life you are giving to me as I place my faith in you.