Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Luke 11: 29-30. Indeed, seeing the crowds gathering around him, Jesus answered those who asked him for a sign: “This generation is a wicked generation; she asks for a sign; and no sign will be given to him, except for the sign of Jonah ”. In Mat 12:40 Jonah is presented as a sign of Jesus’ death; here we see him as a prophet to whom pagans give ear, while the Lord Jesus, in the midst of his own people, is not listened to.
It should be noted that Jonas teaches us less by his words than by his gripping story. Indeed, he had once announced the reestablishment of the border with Israel, the good news for his people (2 Kings 14.23-27). Here he is now charged with a much less pleasant mission, namely to proclaim the chastisement of Nineveh, the great pagan metropolis so guilty before God. But Jonah slips away and fled “from the presence of the Lord.” It was the path of his own will. But a servant of God does not have to choose his message or his place of work. It was also foolish conduct on his part. Because how to escape from the One who sees all and who has the elements to stop the disobedient (Luke 8: 22-25)? But Jonah keeps coming down (Jon 2: 1-7). First by a pleasant path (meaning of Joppa), but which leads to destruction (Tarshish). We will see that Jonas only thought of himself.
Thereafter, the “cry” of Jonah through Nineveh is, strictly speaking, the only prophecy that we find in his book. And yet it is not fulfilled, because at its preaching, the inhabitants of the wicked city with the king in mind, fear God and believe his Word, then repent. These feelings, in turn, rise to the sky. For God is gracious (Jer 18.5-10), and the men of Nineveh will be cited as an example by the Lord Jesus to the Jews of his time, while they have in their midst infinitely “more than Jonah” (Mat 12.38- 41). Yet the latter were more responsible than the pagan Ninevites.
Now the Son of God Himself was there, coming not to judge but to save the world (Jn 12:47). For recognizing oneself as a sinner and accepting Jesus as Savior is the only way to escape eternal condemnation. Because the announcement of judgment is part of the gospel. “It is reserved for men to die once, and after that judgment”, warns the Holy Bible (Heb 9: 27-28). This “once” can be in an instant for you. Do you know if you will even have a 40 day reprieve (Luke 12.16-21)? “This is why you too be ready”, says the Lord Jesus again (Mat 24: 42-44). Yes, now is the day of salvation.
For the Queen of the South came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon; all the wisdom of the great king amazed him; Jesus said, “And behold, there is more here than Solomon,” whom Solomon with all his wisdom was but a faint image; however the Jews rejected it. This is why: “Men of Nineveh will stand up in judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, there is more here than Jonah ”. For there was one among the people in whose name Jonah had spoken to the Ninevites. What a heavy responsibility not to have listened to him.
But how many pagans will also be able to rise on the day of judgment to condemn a large number of nominal Christians, young or old, who will be satisfied with their Christian profession without believing in him, or who will have argued about his person who has come in the flesh, denying his divinity, also denying the inspiration of the Scriptures by which only we can know the Lord? This is why the Lord Jesus declares that this blessing is for all who hear and keep his Word; he said: “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it”.
Now those of Nineveh had listened to Jonah, the queen of Sheba had listened to Solomon, without a miracle having accompanied the testimony of one; and a greater than Jonah was there. May the Lord God keep none of us exposed to the shame of such condemnation on the day of judgment. For men and women inhabiting present-day Nineveh, or Babylon the Great, can be saved. So, with zeal, love, strength and wisdom, let us be united and complementary to announce this wonderful message to all. This is how we will be ready for the glorious return of the Savior of the world.
Because the absence of faith is a major obstacle, because we read in Mt 13.58: “Jesus did not do many miracles in this place because of the ‘absence’ of their faith“: these people refused to recognize in Jesus ( they had grown up with him) the Messiah; according to them he was a man like the others. This absence of faith is different from the doubt which can be mixed with trust in God (Mk 9:23-25). For the Lord does not intervene, when asked to do so, when one willfully refuses to believe that he is God.
The refusal can be explained by the fact that the time has not yet come to perform miracles: John 7.6: Jesus answers his unbelieving brothers (the sons of Mary and Joseph) who asked him: “Since you are doing so great things, get everyone to see it! “:” The time has not yet come for me “. In taking up this argument of Jesus in God’s time which is not ours, we do not refuse to believe that God does not perform miracles today, but that our understanding of time is not that of God. To say, “This is not God’s time” is not to lack faith, it is perhaps to accept that he has a different plan than ours. Because we do not master the schedule of God … Our submission to God must make us accept that he does not always respond when we want. To say, “When your time is right, and in whatever way you choose, I know you will step in,” is to attach importance to God’s plan. More than ours.
Third reason: Let us not tempt the Lord: Mt 4.7: When Satan urges Jesus to throw himself from the top of the temple and affirms that God will intervene by sending his angels to carry him, Jesus answers: “You shall not tempt the Lord your God”. For this is the attitude that Israel had in the desert and Paul repeats this episode by saying: “Let us not tempt the Lord, as some of the people of Israel tempted, who perished bitten by serpents” (1 Co 10). This attitude reveals a state of revolt against God, where one tests the goodness and patience of God, where one tries to go beyond what God wants to give, where (like Satan towards Jesus) we take the promises and the Word of God to put pressure on him, where we do not know – or do not want – to see the essential by saying like the Israelites: “If God is among us, let ‘he shows! “(Exodus 17). “You will not tempt the Lord your God” (Dt 6:16).
For Jesus discerns that Satan’s temptation is to ask for a miracle for his own glory. At the end of his life, he could say: “God has been glorified in me”; this is the essential goal for him: that his life be to the glory of his Father. It can sometimes be difficult to discern whether the answer to our prayer would serve God or our pride or our selfishness. Paul’s purpose was clear: “That now as always Christ be glorified in my body, either by my life or by my death” (Phil 1:20). And instead of destroying the interventions of God in his life by this approach, there were many …
Then the various responses of Jesus Christ to the Pharisees: Mt 12.38-41: – their infidelity “Master, we would like to see you make a miraculous sign! “: In fact these religious were driven by curiosity, the taste for the sensational, in any case by provocation. They gave the appearance of obeying God, but it was practically the opposite: Jesus called them infidels. How would God respond to those who are deliberately opposed to him? God certainly does not wait for us to be perfect, but for our hearts to be turned to him anyway.
– Then, God performed the greatest and only necessary miracle: the death and resurrection of Jesus: “A sign… it will not be granted other than that of the prophet Jonah. Indeed, as Jonah remained three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so the Son of man will spend three days and three nights in the bosom of the earth. “Then one can claim mighty works of God. , believe that he can perform extraordinary miracles but the greatest is the death and resurrection of Jesus. But this miracle is difficult to admit: because it goes beyond the average reasoning that drives us; because he talks about death (and therefore failure, according to our society); because it took place, for us, 2000 years ago; because to accept it, we have to go through repentance (death to ourselves). Because everything goes through the cross and the resurrection. This miracle is enough for us, still effective, still alive for us today.
– Finally, the Lord Jesus returns later once again (Mt 16.1-4) to this single essential miracle of his death and resurrection, but he shows the Pharisees that they do not know how to understand spiritual things; and that is also our problem today … “You know how to recognize what the aspect of the sky indicates [= you know yourselves in matters of weather, with regard to human things], but you are incapable of recognizing the signs [or miracles] of the times ”(Mt 16.3): it is very unfortunate he who knows how to foresee the time to come and who does not know how to see the time of God, who does not see the interventions of God . However, this discussion comes right after the 2 multiplications of the loaves; and yet these religious ask Jesus “for a miracle”. The life of the Christian is strewn with these signs, these divine interventions; but that it is difficult to discern them … We do not know how to take the time to reflect on the events, on the failures, on the blessings and their spiritual significance. So we ask for a sign of the power of God, a proof of the love of God.
A bit like those children who are refused a request from their parents, which then makes them question their love. All this to remind us that the essential is in the work of Jesus Christ: he died and rose again! Let us underline to continue, the story of the rich man and Lazarus: Luke 16.27-31: this story told speaks of the desire to see the miracles of Jesus so that many may be convinced of the importance of living with God; and it is answered: “You have the Word of God”.
For the disciples went to preach everywhere. The Lord worked with them and confirmed the Word by miracles “(Mark 16.20): the Word is not at the service of miracles which would be the pinnacle and the goal of preaching, but the opposite: the preaching of the Word makes it possible to ‘listen to God, to meet him. When the Samaritan woman tells the inhabitants of her village all that Jesus has revealed about her life, they are interested in seeing it; but then their faith is otherwise solid: “We believe in him, not only because of what you have reported to us, but because we have heard it ourselves. And we know that he is truly the Savior of the world “(John 4:42). Because “Faith comes from what we hear, and what we hear comes from the Word of God” (Rom 10:17).
However, despite the miracles, the refusal to believe persists: for John relates: “Despite the great number of miraculous signs that Jesus had done before them, they did not believe in him” (Jn 12.37); Jesus’ brothers also rejected him for the same reason: “’Depart from here, that your disciples also may see the works that you do!’ for his brothers did not believe in him” (John 7: 3, 5). Other passages underline the superficiality of the faith of those who, however, believed in Jesus because they saw him work miracles (although it is not systematic, fortunately): “A great crowd followed Jesus because she saw the miracles that he worked on the sick “(Jn 6): this curiosity and the effect of seeing outweighed a deep faith which would be based on his teaching:“ Many people believed in him seeing the miraculous signs he was performing. But Jesus did not trust them, for he knew them all very well; he knew the depths of their hearts “(John 2: 23-25).
Next comes the episode in the interview with Nicodemus where Jesus shows that real faith arises from the new birth; because it is the work of God and because it deeply touches the person. The Lord thus wants to teach us how to consider his power: for it is necessary to discern the greatest miracles, that is to say the most important – and not the most spectacular: 1) his Word is an extraordinary miracle, a miracle renewed: it is this which strengthens us, transforms us, renews us. Concretely, this week, have we read and meditated on it? 2) and what is associated with it is Jesus, he who is called “the Word” (Jn 1: 1): his life was perfect, his work was sufficient for everything. “The Jews ask for miracles and the Greeks seek wisdom. We preach Christ crucified, scandal for the Jews and foolishness for the pagans, but power of God and wisdom of God for those who are called “(1 Cor 22-24). That is why, in our trials where it may seem to us that he does not intervene, his Word and his work on the cross assure us of his soothing presence and support, today and every day. What a real miracle!
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your better understanding.
- Perverse generation:
Dt 32.5 They have acted corruptly toward him; to their shame they are no longer his children, but a warped and crooked generation; Pr 30.12 those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; Mt 3.7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Mt 12.39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Lk 9.41 Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house; Ac 2.40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
- Jonah the reluctant missionary:
2 Kings 14.25 He was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, in accordance with the word of the Lord , the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher. Jon 1.1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: Jon 2.2 He said: “In my distress I called to the
Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. Jon 4.5 Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Mt 12.39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Mt 16.4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away. Lk 11.29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.
- Popularity of Christ: the multitudes follow him:
Mt 4.25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him; Mt 13.2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Mt 15.30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. Mt 19.2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. Mk 1.33 The whole town gathered at the door; Mk 2.13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.; Mk 3.20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. Lk 12.1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
- Son of man:
Mt 8.20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Mt 9.6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Mt 16.13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Mt 20.28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mt 24.27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Mk 8.38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Lk 18.8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Jn 1.51 He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Jn 5.27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Jn 6.53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Jn 12.23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Jn 13.31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. Ac 7.56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”; Ap 1.13 and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
Ultimately, then, we understand why the Lord denies the Jews a miracle and says that they will have no other miracle than that of Jonah: for the forgiveness given to Nineveh seemed to contradict and disavow Jonah’s proclamation which is about to pass. for a liar, a false prophet. Alas, the fate of the city weighs less in his eyes than his own reputation. And forgetting that he himself has just been an object of grace, he finds no joy in this grace, but only in his own well-being. Let us try to get out of this regrettable way of acting and humble ourselves for the glory of the Lord. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to remain humble and obedient.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week “the bad rich and the poor Lazarus.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.