Jonah and Jesus as Signs - Luke 11:30

The beloved physician Luke wrote, “when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirty-one of his book Luke shared how Jesus says, “this is an evil generation” where we read:

For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

The verse reads, “For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, ...” Luke began with the words, “For as Jonas” or “because, since and on account that in the way and manner Jonah whose name means dove and was the fifth minor prophet, the son of Amittai, and a native of Gath-hepher and lived during the reign of Jeroboam II, king of Israel” “was a sign” which means “served as a mark, token, miracle or wonder” “unto the Ninevites” or “toward the people of Nineveh”. Luke shared how Jesus said “Jonah” was provided by God as a “sign” to the people of Nineveh.

The verse goes on to say, “... so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.” Luke continued with the words, “so shall also the Son of man be” or “even so and indeed will God's Son Jesus exist” “to this generation” which means “toward the current age, nation and whole multitude”. Luke shared how Jesus said He would be the “sign” to the “current age, nation and multitude” even as “Jonah” was to Nineveh.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus referred to the prophet “Jonah” who was sent to the city of Nineveh to warn them of pending judgment of God. (See the book of Jonah in the Old Testament). Jesus came to “save” people not only from the “generation” who existed while He was on the earth, but also for the ages to come. Those who understand He is the “Savior and Lord” of the world will submit their lives to Him, and allow Him to be the One who directs and governs over their lives. God's “sign” of “salvation” is Jesus, and those who are wise will believe and trust in Him and not just miracles that are performed.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “the queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".