The Sign Of Jonah
Jesus said, "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" (Matthew 12:39-40).
An Evil And Adulterous Generation — There is most likely a literal and a figurative meaning in this expression. There is some evidence historically that the Jews were an adulterous people. They were occupied by the Romans who were known for their immorality. Without doubt, this influence would have been felt in a people who were not deeply spiritual. Much the same as our own society in which the amoral attitude of New York and Hollywood is pumped into our lives every day like the Alaskan pipeline pumps oil. Open immodesty, immorality, drunkenness, lewdness, homosexuality, hostility, etc., are expected to be tolerated. Someone recently said that if God doesn’t bring judgment on us as a people soon, He will owe Sodom and Gomorrah an apology. However, the deeper application of the passage is spiritual. Whether or not they committed physical adultery, they certainly had committed spiritual adultery. They had turned their back on their husband, God, and turned to other lovers. See Jeremiah 3:8 and Hosea 2:1. Organized religion among us no longer seeks that which is in the Bible, but that which feels good according to the traditions of men (Matthew 15:7-9).
Seeking A Sign — Throughout history, men have looked for signs. At times, when the Lord was revealing Himself, He provided signs. There was the plagues in Egypt and the miracles of Jesus and the apostles. However, signs just for the sake of signs was not the Lord’s way. Paul said, "For Jews request a sign and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness" (1 Corinthians 1:22-23). Today entire religions are built around the search for a sign. Some seek an experience of grace to know they have been born again. Others desire the miraculous healings, tongues, and snake handlings. To them it is not enough to just preach the gospel of Christ with its saving power (Romans 1:16). What is the point of another sign? Has the gospel not been proven already (Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3-4)?!?
The Sign Of Jonah — The one sign Jesus promised which would be the ultimate in proof was the sign of Jonah. Like Jonah was three days and three nights in the great fish, so Jesus would die and be raised three days hence. Those who accept the gospel need no further proof. The entire message rests its case on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. New Testament preachers made it the focal point of their preaching. The empty grave was the proof. Peter said, "This Jesus God has raised up . . . Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:32-38). Will you accept that one sign and be saved?