Thoughts for the Day

The Sign of Jonah

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, ‘Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.’ But he answered them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was for three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! The queen of the South will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Chapter 12 of Matthew's Gospel sees Jesus teaching a large crowd of people. There would have been many turn up who were just curious as well as his disciples and a number of religious leaders, like the Pharisees and scribes. The latter had followed him constantly, questioning his authority. They are sceptical of his miracles and his teaching, and are determined to find evidence against him. Jesus is more than aware of their intentions and uses the opportunity to teach a valuable lesson about the need for faith.

When the Pharisees demand a sign from Jesus as to his credentials he mentions the three days Jonah spent in the belly of a fish. He is referring to his coming death and resurrection - as Jonah spent three days in the belly of the fish before coming out safely, so too would Jesus spend three days in the tomb before rising again. Jesus uses the story of Jonah to highlight his coming sacrifice and victory over death. He challenges those who oppose him to look at their own beliefs. He is showing them that true faith requires trust even when they cannot explain things rationally.

This is a rebuke to those who question Jesus' authority. His accusers have seen his work - the people he has healed and the way they have listened to his teaching - but it has simply hardened their hearts. The story of Jonah reminds them when Jonah finally went to his enemies in Nineveh and preached to them, its king and all its people repented of their sin and "believed in God".(Jonah 3).

.Just like the Pharisees, we too are urged to examine our own hearts and have faith in the unseen, rather than constantly seeking signs or miracles, or asking "Why, God?" when things go wrong. We need to learn to trust in God’s ultimate plan to redeem and save us.

Father-God,
Your Son, our Lord,
taught the people to have faith in You,
and to put all their trust in You,
rather than asking for a sign.
May we learn to have implicit trust in Your plans
for us, for our loved ones, and for our world,
knowing that all will ultimately be well.
Amen.