The sign of the prophet Jonah

The book of Jonah – although one of the shorter books found in the Old Testament – has a message that may not be ignored.

Twice over ¹, the Lord Jesus refers to the unique event that is described – an event only explicable by God’s intervention. It was of such a character, that the men of the city of Nineveh, felt compelled to heed the warning of impending retribution for the excesses of their lifestyle   They  did repent – and were brought to the worship of  the true God – the One to Whom the inner voice of conscience told them they were accountable.  In fact , in each of the four chapters we read how men are turned to God!

The Lord Jesus simply stated that it was a ‘sign’ – a ‘mighty act’ – something miraculous in character- which was conveying a message from God to His creatures with a view to their blessing.

In the Gospel by John some seven such ‘signs’ are described – actions only possible by the power of God – acts which declared that He, JESUS,  was indeed “God manifest in the flesh”²   He said  “I am come that they might have life “³

He invited those of His day – to examine their lifestyle – to acknowledge their shortcoming before God – and to become His followers. 

Unlike the men of Nineveh – He predicts that they will not repent – and instead seek to destroy the One – whose absolute sinless-ness exposed their own sinful natures.

They were not unaware of His claims – but as a parody of their rejection – asked

for ‘another sign’ – to which He answered

“there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” ⁴

In the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, we see the prophecy become history – but it must do more than excite our interest.(1)

‘He died ‘for our sins’  – we need to repent – and believe, ‘He was buried’ – He took our place – He had suffered for our sins – it was a finished work –  we can have assurance that we are forgiven for Jesus’ sake.

‘He was raised again’  – He is alive, and will come into our lives if we invite Him It was in the darkness that Jonah was brought to cry “Salvation is of the Lord”⁵

As we step from the darkness that surrounded the Cross on Good Friday – to the wondrous sun-rise of the Easter morning with words in our ears “He is not here,

He is risen” – let us bow in faith , believing with all our hearts, we can cry – “Salvation is in the Lord Jesus”  to accept Him as our Lord and Saviour.

¹ Matt 12³⁹,16⁴; ²1Tim3¹⁶; ³John 10¹⁰; ⁴ Matt 12^39-41; ⁵ Jonah 2⁹