July 30, 2025 • 16 mins
Three days Jonah spent in the depths of the sea, stuck in the tomb of a fish’s belly. His journey in and out of the fish is an image of Jesus' journey out of the tomb.
Today's Bible verse is Matthew 12:41, from the King James Version.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray Nineveh will stand up in the judgment
with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented
at the preaching of Jonah. And behold, someone greater than
Jonah is here. Matthew twelve forty one, Dear Heavenly Father,
we stand humbly before you today, acknowledging that something greater
(00:23):
than Jonah is here, your son, Jesus Christ Lord. We
ask for the grace to heed your call for repentance
and to respond with humble hearts. Just as the Ninavites
turn from their wicked ways upon hearing Jonah's message, may
we also turn from our sins and seek your forgiveness
(00:44):
when we hear the teachings of Jesus. Father, help us
fully grasp the magnitude of your mercy and recognize that
in Jesus we have a savior far greater than any prophet,
one who took our sins upon himself to reconcile us
to you. Let this truth transform our hearts and renew
(01:05):
our spirits. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen,
Thank you for praying with me today. Stay tuned now
for another episode of Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Jonah sat on a grassy hill and stared at the
open sea. He closed his eyes, felt the gentle kiss
of the mild morning sun, and listened to the sound
of gulls intermixed with crashing waves. Then, all of a sudden,
a voice interrupted Jonah's moment of bliss arise. The voice said,
Jonah perkeed up, immediately, recognizing it was the Lord.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Go inland to the great city of Nineveh. They have
fallen into a cycle of wickedness and a corruption. Go
there and show them their evil so they can repent.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Jonah tensed up and shook his head. No, he whispered, No,
I can't, he declared. Jonah's hatred for the people of
Ninevh ran deep. Their cruelty was famous, and Jonah had
experienced firsthand the ripple effects of their wickedness. He refused
to heed the call of God. He wouldn't give the
people of Ninevah a chance to repent. He wanted them
(02:25):
to experience judgment. He wanted them to suffer. They deserved it.
Jonah immediately gathered his belongings for a journey, but instead
of going inland, he boarded a cargo ship to Tarshish.
His mind raced with rage against Nineveh and contempt for God.
He refused to be a conduit for God's mercy. Jonah
(02:46):
went down into the ship's cabin and laid his head
to sleep. As he slumbered, clouds rolled in from the
middle of the sea. The waves begin to stir, matching
the violent pattern of the skies. A storm was brewing,
could not outrun God.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Jesus Podcast.
I'm Ethan frompray dot Com, here to guide you through
some of the most iconic stories ever told. If this
podcast has blessed you thus far, please take a moment
to leave a comment and review. Doing so will make
sure others discover these life changing stories. And be sure
(03:24):
to download the pray dot Com app to hear the
Bible come to life and make prayer a priority in
your daily walk with God. We've been traversing the peaks
and valleys of the Bible's most famous characters. These people's
lives were marked with tragedy, triumph, faith, and failure. These
heroes ultimately point us toward the greatest hero of all, Jesus.
(03:49):
Today we recount the story of Jonah and the giant Fish. Jonah,
a prophet of God, was chosen to carry a message
of repentance to the wicked city of Nah. We're not
sure whether pride, prejudice, or history with ninev made Jonahs
so bitter. Knowing what we know about the city of NINEVH,
(04:10):
Jonah most likely had several bad experiences with their people.
It's very likely that Nineveh had invaded Israelite cities or
cheated Israelite traders. Jonah didn't want them to experience mercy,
so he fled from God and sought to sail far
away to Tarshish, the opposite direction of Nineveh. Jonah's story
(04:31):
is packed with lessons, lessons that will unpack together. Yet
the greatest truth hidden within this story is a metaphor
see if you can spot it and the cinematic retelling
of Jonah. Chapter one, build the water, the captain chapters.
Speaker 5 (04:48):
Throw the cargo of the board. We have to lighten
the ship.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
The ship's crew desperately tried to lighten the load to
endure the wind and waves. The storm had come like
a predator in the forest, unexpected violent. The crew helplessly
prayed to each of their gods. They bowed to their
idols and begged for some sort of deliverance. The captain
burst through the cabin doors and the work of Jonah.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
Wake up Hebrew, pray, Dear God, I fear we may perish.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
On these seas. Jodah climbed to the deck and saw
the heavens thrashing and lightning crashing. Jonah gulped as his
hands began to shake.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
He had a.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Feeling this storm was because of him.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
Hath the joicement to cast lots. As we know who
among us is to blame for such a storm.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
The captain was a master of the seas. He knew
that an abrupt storm of this magnitude was not an ordinary.
Someone must have evoked the wrath of a god. The
crew members took a bag of knuckle bones and passed them.
Speaker 5 (05:44):
On to the deck.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
The lot rolled and fell at Jermah's feet. The crew
looked in him and demanded an explanation. Am ahebun Joonah explained,
they do not worship gods of ward in agriculture as
you do. I worship the Lord of creation who made heaven,
and I'm running away from him.
Speaker 5 (06:02):
But I fear it was a grave mistake.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Lightning struck beside them and said, the chuggling at all sides.
They stayed away from Jonah and yelled.
Speaker 5 (06:11):
What must we do to avoid catastrophe? How do we
please your God?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Jonah looked out at the black, chaotic ocean. He leaned
over the side and closed his eyes. Regret overcame him.
He turned back to the crew and said, hull me
in to the sea.
Speaker 6 (06:27):
God's judgment is directed towards me, not you throw me overboard.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
And the storm were calm.
Speaker 5 (06:33):
No, we do not abandon people to the sea. He
is not our way. The captain yelled, for sake the
sails and roll. He ordered his crude.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
The men rode with all their strength, and the storm
was working against them. It was as if the hand
of God was pulling them into the sea. The captain
cursed and prayed to Jonah's God. He begged for mercy.
Speaker 7 (06:54):
Lord of the Hebrews, do not put this man's blood
on our hands.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
He turned to his crew and pointed at Jonah.
Speaker 5 (07:02):
Throw him overboard.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
So they picked Jonah up, and Jonah crashed into the
dark sea, but breggers crashed over him, pushing him up.
All the weight of God's judgment was over Jonah, pulling.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
Him deeper into the abyss.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Jonah accepted that this would be the end of him.
As the blackness of the deep ocean enveloped him, Jonah
saw a large figure swim by. His eyes widened, and
the final thing he saw was the shape of a
giant fish swallowing him up. Jonah opened his eyes but
saw nothing. The smell of rotting fish and kelp was
nearly unbearable. Jonah tried to stretch his arms and legs,
(07:40):
but barely.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
Had enough room.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
He was inside the belly of a fish, only given
enough space to breathe. It was like being.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Locked in a dark tomb.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
He was alone with his thoughts for three days and
three nights, contemplating God's judgment, mercy, and goodness. Ironically, Jonah
felt closer to the Lord and bottomless pit of despair.
The white noise of the fish's heartbeat intermixed with the
sound of the ocean. Jonah spoke a prayer to the Lord.
Speaker 5 (08:08):
I called to.
Speaker 8 (08:09):
You God, in my distress.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
You answer me.
Speaker 8 (08:13):
I cry from the belly of the grave, and you
hear me. You cast me into the deep heart of
the seas, and the water surround me. Your waves and
billows crash over me.
Speaker 7 (08:27):
Even then I cannot see you, I will point my
eyes towards your holy temper. Water sought to take my life.
The deep surrounded me, and the seaweed wrapped around my neck.
Yet you brought my life from the pit.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
My life was failing into oblivion. I remembered you.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
With a voice of thanksgiving.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
I was sacrifice to you. Salvation belongs to the law.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
And just as he had finished his prayer of repentant praise,
the Lord commanded the wish to release Jonah onto the shore.
The sun's warmth was a balm to his aching body,
and Jonah laughed with relief and worship.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
If you have followed along thus far, you'll remember what
choppy and chaotic storms represent in the Bible, sin, darkness,
and judgment. In Jonah's case, the righteous judgment of God
was seeking him out through the storm. There was nowhere
Jonah could run where God would not find him. This
truth ought to inspire comfort in all of us. Jonah
(09:34):
was given a mission by God, a purpose. God was
not about to let Jonah escape that purpose. No matter
how hard he tried. God was determined to draw Jonah's
calling out of him, even if it meant sending a storm.
You know, this happens in our lives as well. God
has a plan and a purpose for you. He has
(09:56):
adorned you with gifts and desires to use you for
His kingdom. When we stray or run from that calling,
sometimes God will do whatever it takes to draw us back.
Who used circumstances, trials, and difficulties to return us to him.
Jonah knew that he had messed up, and he put
other people's lives in jeopardy. You know that's what happens
(10:19):
with sin. It doesn't just affect us as individuals, but
every one around us. Many people suffer in the wake
of our own disobedience. To Jonah's credit, he came clean
eventually and did the self sacrificial thing. He allowed the
crew to throw him into the sea, and just as
(10:40):
Jonah thought that the dark abyss was going to consume him,
he was swallowed by a fish and survived there for
three days and three nights. Joah transformed in those three days.
His heart was softened toward God, and he was able
to see his mercy. Sometimes in our most profound moment,
of suffering, we discover the greatness of God's love Above
(11:06):
these faith lessons. There's a greater thing happening in this story.
Jonah's time in the belly of the Beast foreshadows another event.
When the religious leaders pressed Jesus to show them a
sign of his deity, he pointed them to Jonah. Them
to Jonah, give.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
Us a sign.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
The Pharisees shouted. Jesus turned around to see a group
of religious leaders approaching. They reeked of self righteousness. They
had followed Jesus for months, watching every miracle and listening
to every teaching. Their pompous legalism made them blind to
their own hypocrisy. They circled Jesus with accusations and challenges,
(11:49):
hoping he would take the bait.
Speaker 6 (11:50):
You say you're amount of God like Elijah, But every
time we ask you to prove yourself you refuse.
Speaker 5 (11:57):
Don't you care what the public thinks?
Speaker 6 (12:00):
Send fire down like Elijah and prove you are who
you say you are.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Jesus looked at them and shook his head. He could
never run out of patience, but these men tried. Nonetheless,
their vain religiosity was annoying and ineffectual. They claimed to
be of the same stalk as Elijah, but they were
much more similar to the prophets of Bail. Jesus stretched
out his arms and replied.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
When you look at the sky and you see that
there aren't any clouds, you can perceive that it's fair weather.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
When you look up and see dark storm clouds, you
rightly know to seek cover.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Jesus stepped closer to the pharisees. They could not help
but step back, for he exuded authority.
Speaker 6 (12:38):
How can you look to the sky and interpret the weather,
but you're unable to see the signs right in front
of you.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Everyone stirred. Jesus pointed a finger at them and made
sure he was clear.
Speaker 6 (12:48):
I will not give you a sign. I will not
dance for you, nor will I play these games. You
will have only one sign, the sign of Jonah, for
the son of Man will be in the grape for
three days and nights the heart of the earth. I
tell you that the people of Neneveh would stand up
to you and condemn you. They repented when they heard
the preaching of Jonah. And behold, someone greater than Jonah
(13:12):
is here.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
The crowd stirred, and Jesus left their presence. He had
performed many miracles. He had restored sight to the blind,
healed lepers, cast out demons, and walked on water. Yet
only one miracle truly mattered, the sign of Jonah rising
from the grave.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
We have all had times when we wished God would
reveal himself to us in a specific way. Sometimes we
ask for miracles because we're doubting, suffering, or struggling with
our faith. Other times we're angry with God and want
him to prove something to us. These Pharisees asked Jesus
to prove himself through miracles, as if he needed to
(13:53):
prove himself to them. But that's not how Jesus operated.
He wasn't a street performer asking for tips. He wasn't
an actor or an artist trying to prove his worth.
He didn't need their approval. When Jesus performed signs and wonders,
he did it to aid the suffering and to teach
people about the character of God. He wasn't submitting miracles
(14:16):
to people as a resume of his godhood. Besides, the
Pharisees had already seen Jesus perform miracles and signs. It
wasn't that they wanted Jesus to show them a sign.
They wanted a sign on their own terms. We must
all beware this mentality. God is working all around us.
(14:37):
He performs miracles every day and is constantly on the
move doing wonderful things. But sometimes we're too self consumed
to see it. We want God to move in specific
ways and on our own terms, so we end up
missing the beauty of every day miracles. However, Jesus did
say he would give them one sign, the sign of Jonah.
(15:02):
Let's break that down. The chaotic seas represent God's judgment.
The fish represents the grave under God's judgment. Jonah was
trapped in that grave, considered dead, then came out three
days later. Can you piece that together and connect it
to Jesus. Jesus took on the judgment of God, sin
(15:23):
and shame, and died. He was buried in a grave
for three days, but then rose again. Jonah's time in
the belly of the fish was a sign that pointed
forward to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Because
Jonah's life was a foreshadowing of Jesus's great journey to
the cross, into the grave and out again. Next time
(15:46):
we're together, we'll dive into one of our final heroes
of the series. This man had unwavering faith and conviction
amidst a hostile culture. He was wise, devoted, and rose
out of the lion's den. Join us for our next
episode as we explore why Jesus is the Greater Daniel.
Let us pray Nineveh will stand up in the judgment
with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented
at the preaching of Jonah. And behold, someone greater than
Jonah is here. Matthew twelve forty one, Dear Heavenly Father,
we stand humbly before you today, acknowledging that something greater
(00:23):
than Jonah is here, your son, Jesus Christ Lord. We
ask for the grace to heed your call for repentance
and to respond with humble hearts. Just as the Ninavites
turn from their wicked ways upon hearing Jonah's message, may
we also turn from our sins and seek your forgiveness
(00:44):
when we hear the teachings of Jesus. Father, help us
fully grasp the magnitude of your mercy and recognize that
in Jesus we have a savior far greater than any prophet,
one who took our sins upon himself to reconcile us
to you. Let this truth transform our hearts and renew
(01:05):
our spirits. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen,
Thank you for praying with me today. Stay tuned now
for another episode of Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Jonah sat on a grassy hill and stared at the
open sea. He closed his eyes, felt the gentle kiss
of the mild morning sun, and listened to the sound
of gulls intermixed with crashing waves. Then, all of a sudden,
a voice interrupted Jonah's moment of bliss arise. The voice said,
Jonah perkeed up, immediately, recognizing it was the Lord.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Go inland to the great city of Nineveh. They have
fallen into a cycle of wickedness and a corruption. Go
there and show them their evil so they can repent.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Jonah tensed up and shook his head. No, he whispered, No,
I can't, he declared. Jonah's hatred for the people of
Ninevh ran deep. Their cruelty was famous, and Jonah had
experienced firsthand the ripple effects of their wickedness. He refused
to heed the call of God. He wouldn't give the
people of Ninevah a chance to repent. He wanted them
(02:25):
to experience judgment. He wanted them to suffer. They deserved it.
Jonah immediately gathered his belongings for a journey, but instead
of going inland, he boarded a cargo ship to Tarshish.
His mind raced with rage against Nineveh and contempt for God.
He refused to be a conduit for God's mercy. Jonah
(02:46):
went down into the ship's cabin and laid his head
to sleep. As he slumbered, clouds rolled in from the
middle of the sea. The waves begin to stir, matching
the violent pattern of the skies. A storm was brewing,
could not outrun God.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Jesus Podcast.
I'm Ethan frompray dot Com, here to guide you through
some of the most iconic stories ever told. If this
podcast has blessed you thus far, please take a moment
to leave a comment and review. Doing so will make
sure others discover these life changing stories. And be sure
(03:24):
to download the pray dot Com app to hear the
Bible come to life and make prayer a priority in
your daily walk with God. We've been traversing the peaks
and valleys of the Bible's most famous characters. These people's
lives were marked with tragedy, triumph, faith, and failure. These
heroes ultimately point us toward the greatest hero of all, Jesus.
(03:49):
Today we recount the story of Jonah and the giant Fish. Jonah,
a prophet of God, was chosen to carry a message
of repentance to the wicked city of Nah. We're not
sure whether pride, prejudice, or history with ninev made Jonahs
so bitter. Knowing what we know about the city of NINEVH,
(04:10):
Jonah most likely had several bad experiences with their people.
It's very likely that Nineveh had invaded Israelite cities or
cheated Israelite traders. Jonah didn't want them to experience mercy,
so he fled from God and sought to sail far
away to Tarshish, the opposite direction of Nineveh. Jonah's story
(04:31):
is packed with lessons, lessons that will unpack together. Yet
the greatest truth hidden within this story is a metaphor
see if you can spot it and the cinematic retelling
of Jonah. Chapter one, build the water, the captain chapters.
Speaker 5 (04:48):
Throw the cargo of the board. We have to lighten
the ship.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
The ship's crew desperately tried to lighten the load to
endure the wind and waves. The storm had come like
a predator in the forest, unexpected violent. The crew helplessly
prayed to each of their gods. They bowed to their
idols and begged for some sort of deliverance. The captain
burst through the cabin doors and the work of Jonah.
Speaker 5 (05:10):
Wake up Hebrew, pray, Dear God, I fear we may perish.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
On these seas. Jodah climbed to the deck and saw
the heavens thrashing and lightning crashing. Jonah gulped as his
hands began to shake.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
He had a.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Feeling this storm was because of him.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
Hath the joicement to cast lots. As we know who
among us is to blame for such a storm.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
The captain was a master of the seas. He knew
that an abrupt storm of this magnitude was not an ordinary.
Someone must have evoked the wrath of a god. The
crew members took a bag of knuckle bones and passed them.
Speaker 5 (05:44):
On to the deck.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
The lot rolled and fell at Jermah's feet. The crew
looked in him and demanded an explanation. Am ahebun Joonah explained,
they do not worship gods of ward in agriculture as
you do. I worship the Lord of creation who made heaven,
and I'm running away from him.
Speaker 5 (06:02):
But I fear it was a grave mistake.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Lightning struck beside them and said, the chuggling at all sides.
They stayed away from Jonah and yelled.
Speaker 5 (06:11):
What must we do to avoid catastrophe? How do we
please your God?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Jonah looked out at the black, chaotic ocean. He leaned
over the side and closed his eyes. Regret overcame him.
He turned back to the crew and said, hull me
in to the sea.
Speaker 6 (06:27):
God's judgment is directed towards me, not you throw me overboard.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
And the storm were calm.
Speaker 5 (06:33):
No, we do not abandon people to the sea. He
is not our way. The captain yelled, for sake the
sails and roll. He ordered his crude.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
The men rode with all their strength, and the storm
was working against them. It was as if the hand
of God was pulling them into the sea. The captain
cursed and prayed to Jonah's God. He begged for mercy.
Speaker 7 (06:54):
Lord of the Hebrews, do not put this man's blood
on our hands.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
He turned to his crew and pointed at Jonah.
Speaker 5 (07:02):
Throw him overboard.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
So they picked Jonah up, and Jonah crashed into the
dark sea, but breggers crashed over him, pushing him up.
All the weight of God's judgment was over Jonah, pulling.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
Him deeper into the abyss.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Jonah accepted that this would be the end of him.
As the blackness of the deep ocean enveloped him, Jonah
saw a large figure swim by. His eyes widened, and
the final thing he saw was the shape of a
giant fish swallowing him up. Jonah opened his eyes but
saw nothing. The smell of rotting fish and kelp was
nearly unbearable. Jonah tried to stretch his arms and legs,
(07:40):
but barely.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
Had enough room.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
He was inside the belly of a fish, only given
enough space to breathe. It was like being.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Locked in a dark tomb.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
He was alone with his thoughts for three days and
three nights, contemplating God's judgment, mercy, and goodness. Ironically, Jonah
felt closer to the Lord and bottomless pit of despair.
The white noise of the fish's heartbeat intermixed with the
sound of the ocean. Jonah spoke a prayer to the Lord.
Speaker 5 (08:08):
I called to.
Speaker 8 (08:09):
You God, in my distress.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
You answer me.
Speaker 8 (08:13):
I cry from the belly of the grave, and you
hear me. You cast me into the deep heart of
the seas, and the water surround me. Your waves and
billows crash over me.
Speaker 7 (08:27):
Even then I cannot see you, I will point my
eyes towards your holy temper. Water sought to take my life.
The deep surrounded me, and the seaweed wrapped around my neck.
Yet you brought my life from the pit.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
My life was failing into oblivion. I remembered you.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
With a voice of thanksgiving.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
I was sacrifice to you. Salvation belongs to the law.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
And just as he had finished his prayer of repentant praise,
the Lord commanded the wish to release Jonah onto the shore.
The sun's warmth was a balm to his aching body,
and Jonah laughed with relief and worship.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
If you have followed along thus far, you'll remember what
choppy and chaotic storms represent in the Bible, sin, darkness,
and judgment. In Jonah's case, the righteous judgment of God
was seeking him out through the storm. There was nowhere
Jonah could run where God would not find him. This
truth ought to inspire comfort in all of us. Jonah
(09:34):
was given a mission by God, a purpose. God was
not about to let Jonah escape that purpose. No matter
how hard he tried. God was determined to draw Jonah's
calling out of him, even if it meant sending a storm.
You know, this happens in our lives as well. God
has a plan and a purpose for you. He has
(09:56):
adorned you with gifts and desires to use you for
His kingdom. When we stray or run from that calling,
sometimes God will do whatever it takes to draw us back.
Who used circumstances, trials, and difficulties to return us to him.
Jonah knew that he had messed up, and he put
other people's lives in jeopardy. You know that's what happens
(10:19):
with sin. It doesn't just affect us as individuals, but
every one around us. Many people suffer in the wake
of our own disobedience. To Jonah's credit, he came clean
eventually and did the self sacrificial thing. He allowed the
crew to throw him into the sea, and just as
(10:40):
Jonah thought that the dark abyss was going to consume him,
he was swallowed by a fish and survived there for
three days and three nights. Joah transformed in those three days.
His heart was softened toward God, and he was able
to see his mercy. Sometimes in our most profound moment,
of suffering, we discover the greatness of God's love Above
(11:06):
these faith lessons. There's a greater thing happening in this story.
Jonah's time in the belly of the Beast foreshadows another event.
When the religious leaders pressed Jesus to show them a
sign of his deity, he pointed them to Jonah. Them
to Jonah, give.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
Us a sign.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
The Pharisees shouted. Jesus turned around to see a group
of religious leaders approaching. They reeked of self righteousness. They
had followed Jesus for months, watching every miracle and listening
to every teaching. Their pompous legalism made them blind to
their own hypocrisy. They circled Jesus with accusations and challenges,
(11:49):
hoping he would take the bait.
Speaker 6 (11:50):
You say you're amount of God like Elijah, But every
time we ask you to prove yourself you refuse.
Speaker 5 (11:57):
Don't you care what the public thinks?
Speaker 6 (12:00):
Send fire down like Elijah and prove you are who
you say you are.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Jesus looked at them and shook his head. He could
never run out of patience, but these men tried. Nonetheless,
their vain religiosity was annoying and ineffectual. They claimed to
be of the same stalk as Elijah, but they were
much more similar to the prophets of Bail. Jesus stretched
out his arms and replied.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
When you look at the sky and you see that
there aren't any clouds, you can perceive that it's fair weather.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
When you look up and see dark storm clouds, you
rightly know to seek cover.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Jesus stepped closer to the pharisees. They could not help
but step back, for he exuded authority.
Speaker 6 (12:38):
How can you look to the sky and interpret the weather,
but you're unable to see the signs right in front
of you.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Everyone stirred. Jesus pointed a finger at them and made
sure he was clear.
Speaker 6 (12:48):
I will not give you a sign. I will not
dance for you, nor will I play these games. You
will have only one sign, the sign of Jonah, for
the son of Man will be in the grape for
three days and nights the heart of the earth. I
tell you that the people of Neneveh would stand up
to you and condemn you. They repented when they heard
the preaching of Jonah. And behold, someone greater than Jonah
(13:12):
is here.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
The crowd stirred, and Jesus left their presence. He had
performed many miracles. He had restored sight to the blind,
healed lepers, cast out demons, and walked on water. Yet
only one miracle truly mattered, the sign of Jonah rising
from the grave.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
We have all had times when we wished God would
reveal himself to us in a specific way. Sometimes we
ask for miracles because we're doubting, suffering, or struggling with
our faith. Other times we're angry with God and want
him to prove something to us. These Pharisees asked Jesus
to prove himself through miracles, as if he needed to
(13:53):
prove himself to them. But that's not how Jesus operated.
He wasn't a street performer asking for tips. He wasn't
an actor or an artist trying to prove his worth.
He didn't need their approval. When Jesus performed signs and wonders,
he did it to aid the suffering and to teach
people about the character of God. He wasn't submitting miracles
(14:16):
to people as a resume of his godhood. Besides, the
Pharisees had already seen Jesus perform miracles and signs. It
wasn't that they wanted Jesus to show them a sign.
They wanted a sign on their own terms. We must
all beware this mentality. God is working all around us.
(14:37):
He performs miracles every day and is constantly on the
move doing wonderful things. But sometimes we're too self consumed
to see it. We want God to move in specific
ways and on our own terms, so we end up
missing the beauty of every day miracles. However, Jesus did
say he would give them one sign, the sign of Jonah.
(15:02):
Let's break that down. The chaotic seas represent God's judgment.
The fish represents the grave under God's judgment. Jonah was
trapped in that grave, considered dead, then came out three
days later. Can you piece that together and connect it
to Jesus. Jesus took on the judgment of God, sin
(15:23):
and shame, and died. He was buried in a grave
for three days, but then rose again. Jonah's time in
the belly of the fish was a sign that pointed
forward to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Because
Jonah's life was a foreshadowing of Jesus's great journey to
the cross, into the grave and out again. Next time
(15:46):
we're together, we'll dive into one of our final heroes
of the series. This man had unwavering faith and conviction
amidst a hostile culture. He was wise, devoted, and rose
out of the lion's den. Join us for our next
episode as we explore why Jesus is the Greater Daniel.
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