The Sign of Jonah

“While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah...’” Luke 11:29

We are always looking for signs, a red rose, a white rose, whatever. I remember when my mom used to call a particular book of meditations, the magic book, because when she would cut it, the words on that page gave her an answer that was particularly meaningful for her. 

In this passage from the book of Luke, Jesus told the crowd listening to Him that, “This is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah...” So many people followed Jesus around, jostled to listen to Him, because He was a miracle worker, He healed the sick, He raised the dead, He multiplied bread. If Jesus came today, crowds would follow Him as well. And He would say the same thing, “This generation is an evil generation.” Not much has changed. I am still selfish, seeking my own good, instead of looking after the needs of my neighbors. I may try to be pious but do I see things the way the Lord wants me to? Am I where the Lord wants me to be? 

Jesus already gave us the ultimate sign, the sign of Jonah. Of course the crowds during Jesus’ time would never have gotten the allusion, but we have the advantage of knowing what happened after Jesus was crucified. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days, Jesus stayed in the darkness of His tomb for three days. And just as He prophesied, He rose again to save us from our selfishness, and sin, and death to give us new life. 

Early this morning, I received word that a sweet friend of mine, a sister in Christ, passed away after a hard battle with cancer. Truly it is sad and difficult to accept that God did not heal her after we pleaded and asked for His mercy. May the young family she left behind be consoled by the reality that she is with the resurrected Lord who loves her best. We ask for signs but the sign of Jonah is our best and brightest hope for a new dawn!