[When available, audio recordings of these devotions are posted at http://www.redeemerclc.info/audio-devotions]
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Jonah 1:17; 2:10 The Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights ... And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
FANTASTIC FISH STORY
One of the most well-known stories of the Bible is Jonah and the fish. It's the factual account of how God's prophet was cast overboard from a ship sailing on the Mediterranean, gobbled up by a huge sea creature, and after spending time in its stomach, was spit up on a sandy beach. What a fantastic fish story! Even more fantastic, though, was the event of the future which the story of Jonah and the fish typified. The Bible shows it was a foreshadowing of the crucified, dead Savior spending three days and nights in the cold grave and coming out alive. All to prove unmistakably that He is God's Son and His mission of rescuing sinful mankind from the pit of hell successfully accomplished.
What a joy to know it! Since we've been united with Jesus by faith, death and the grave have been defeated. Its sting can't hurt us. We've already passed through the first phase of our resurrection. We who used to be dead in sin have become alive in Christ. We're privileged to live lives that reflect our status as children of God and heirs of heaven. Jesus gave Himself for that purpose: to redeem us from all wickedness and purify for Himself a people who are His very own, eager to do what is good, to the glory of His Savior-name.
Ultimately, the second phase of our resurrection will be accomplished too! On the great Resurrection Day we’ll hear Jesus' voice and the grave will "spit us up." We and who have longed for His appearing will know the joy of living in His blissful presence forever.
Death, you cannot end my gladness: I am baptized into Christ!
When I die, I leave all sadness To inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust and ashes Faith's assurance brightly flashes:
Baptism has the strength divine To make life immortal mine.
(Worship Supplement 2000, 751:4)
