WE SEEK A SIGN, BUT WILL BE GIVEN JONAH?

August 23, 2016

WE SEEK A SIGN, BUT WILL BE GIVEN JONAH?

Luke 11:29–36

Todd Cartrite

Central Truth

We are an evil generation that seeks worldly signs to reveal where life may be found. We try to find fulfillment apart from God, leaving us wanting more. A full life can't be found until we allow God to penetrate our hearts and we rest in His unfailing love.

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." (Luke 11:29)

The Sign of Jonah

29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

The Light in You

33 No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

In Luke 11:29, Jesus speaks of an “evil generation,” one which seeks a sign. But no sign will be given to it “except the sign of Jonah.” This is true of today's generation as well, at least mine. We seek what the world says will bring happiness and fulfillment.

In college, I rejected the truth and allowed worldly lies to fill my life and harden my heart. I was apathetic to signs of the living God around me, just like the Jews in Jesus’ time. I rejected God’s Word, seeking to displace the message it conveyed. I allowed men and teachings of the world to guide my life, rejecting Christ as the ultimate wise man and prophet. How much worse was I than the Ninevites and the Queen of the South, who all responded to God's truth, when I continued to reject Him. I lived in darkness, seeking to numb the pain of failure, until one day when I responded to God's Word in college.

I decided I would no longer trust myself, but trust fully in Him. I repented and confessed my deepest sexual sins. My girlfriend at the time was my universe. Before I confessed, I believed a lie that it would be like living in Hell to confess my sins to her and become fully known. If the men of Nineveh and the Queen of the South, mere Gentiles, could see the mighty hand of God and turn to Him, I, too, could repent and allow Christ to save me from certain death. This was not because of anything I could do, but because of what Christ, the true wise King and Prophet, has done. He is greater than Solomon and Jonah. He came to earth to bear our sin, become our sin, and pay the ransom for our sin—past, present, and future.

I no longer light my lamp and hide it, but set it on a stand for all to see God’s light. All people, even you, can know freedom from sin by believing in Christ’s divine power and confessing it with your tongue (Romans 10:9)! How awesome is that!

1. Has there been a time in your life when your heart was hardened against God’s Word and you sought to fill the void with what the world offers? What were some of the lies you believed and still struggle with?

2. Do you believe that Christ is the true, wise King and Prophet forever?

3. Have you accepted the light of Christ to illuminate your path?

4. How are we to ensure that our eye is healthy and that we are full of light, able to spread the love of Christ?