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January 31st, 2021

Matthew 12:38-41  Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”  But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

The Big Picture

I wanted to return to the story of Jonah one more time by looking at what Jesus said.  Jesus wasn’t merely validating the story of Jonah being engulfed by a rather large fish.  Jesus was using that story tell the people of His own death, burial and resurrection.  Jesus says, “something greater than Jonah is here” and “something greater than Solomon is here (v42).”  What powerful imagery.  His audience would’ve known the story of Jonah.  His audience would’ve known of great King Solomon.  Jesus was setting them up by setting the stage for His crucifixion, resurrection and return.  Jesus had to speak of these things to this group of people because they wanted signs and wonders to validate their belief.  He was criticizing their unbelief.  All we must do is look to the cross and the empty tomb to realize that Jesus is, one day, coming back for His children.  O Glorious Day!!

How To Pray

  • Thank God for the true story of Jonah and his lessons that are still relevant for us today.

  • Thank God for being gracious and merciful, slow to anger and faithful in steadfast love (Ex. 34:6).

  • Where do you want to see God at work in your life in 2021? Where do you want to see God at work in the life of our church in 2021? Pray for those things.

  • End this 31-day worship and prayer initiative by adoring God for Who He is! Holy, righteous, loving, merciful, all powerful, all knowing, everywhere present, the Uncreated One, patient, eternal, intimate, gracious, never changes, all sufficient, sovereign, wise….and so much more.