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. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 

At the judgment, the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. 

At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.” (Luke 11:29-32)

We are supposed to pay attention to signs.  Generally, they give us warnings such as “Go Slow” or “Detour Ahead.” Having spent three days in the belly of the “big fish,” later to be released from his “tomb,” Jonah repented.  Others followed his lead.  Jonah became a sign for us because Jesus was to have a similar experience we all share.

Jesus spent three days in the tomb.  Then his tomb was empty.  He rose from the dead.   We spend time in tombs of despair, perhaps hunger, and sickness.  Loneliness can be our tomb, and our stay can be far longer than three days.  We must remember the Sign of Jonah, reflected by Jesus: we shall rise from our tombs because there is something greater than Jonah – Jesus, our Christ.  And, his wisdom is greater than Solomon’s.

For those of us on the wrong path, let’s take the detour towards Jesus.  He tells us to go slow and walk with him especially during Lent and on his way to the cross.

Deacon David Pierce