From the desk of Pastor Ben

Jesus and Jonah – Part 2

“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.         (Matthew 12:40)

Jesus’ resurrection after three days in the grave — compared to Jonah’s emergence from the great fish — was not the sort of sign from Him that the religious leaders had in mind. However, it was infinitely more significant and miraculous than anything God did through the prophet. The resurrection was Jesus’ final sign given directly to the world to authenticate His Messianic credentials and saving power.
After He rose from the dead, He appeared in His glorified body to His disciples on various occasions (1 Corinthians 15:4-7) and then spectacularly ascended into heaven as the eleven watched. After that, God performed other signs and miracles through the apostles to prove their unique authority to minister on behalf of the Son. Jesus told the skeptical Jewish leaders that His resurrection would be the only heavenly sign aimed directly at them.
Sadly, however, most of the Jews, whether leaders or people, did not accept the miracle of the resurrection — “If they did not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31; Matthew 28:11-15).
What any person does with the facts of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry and the powerful truths of His atoning death and glorious resurrection determines that person’s eternal destiny. To spurn those most convincing and gracious of divine signs is, like the scribes and Pharisees, to reveal yourself as the worst of sinners, no matter how outwardly moral and religious you might be.

Ask Yourself:
We can hardly go wrong by focusing on the cross,the site of our forgiven sin. But we should be equally focused on the empty tomb, by which we are not only released from our guilt but are freed to live with all the glorious repercussions, now and forever. How are you experiencing that?