Monday, March 24, 2008
Matthew 12:38-40 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For 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."
SIGNS OF THE RESURRECTION: JONAH
A famous atheist was asked what he would say to God if, after he died, he found himselfstanding before the throne of God. His reply: I'd tell God that He didn't provide enough evidence to prove His existence!
Isn't it interesting? Those who believe in the existence of God see the evidence of the existence of God all around! But for those who are dead-set on rejecting the existence of God, no amount of evidence -- no matter how great -- is enough to "prove" God's existence for them.
The scribes of Jesus' day wanted a miraculous sign that would prove to them that Jesus was the promised Messiah and the Son of God. The signs were there for them to see. When the disciples of John came to Jesus and asked if He was the Messiah, Jesus answered: "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them" (Matthew 11:5).
But many others have done miracles. Elisha did many miracles during His ministry even raising the dead. Jesus' disciples were given the power to do miracles and, like Jesus, they preached the good news to the people. Since others were able to do such things (by the power of God) those miracles didn't necessarily prove that Jesus was the Son of God.
So Jesus would give them a sign that would prove -- without a doubt -- that He was the promised Messiah. He foretold His own death and His resurrection three days later. Jonah's journey in the belly of the great fish was a picture of Christ's death, burial, and yes, His promised resurrection! He is risen!
