February 10, 2016
YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE THIS SIGN
Matthew 12:38–50
Brian Buchek
Central Truth
Jesus' death and resurrection are the defining moments in history that prove His superior greatness. Our response must be to wholeheartedly worship and follow Him.
Key Verse | Matthew 12:41
"[B]ehold, something greater than Jonah is here." (Matthew 12:41b)
Matthew 12:38–50
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just 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. 41 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. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
Return of an Unclean Spirit
43 When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers 1 12:46 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 48, 49 stood outside, asking to speak to him. 2 12:46 Some manuscripts insert verse 47: Someone told him, Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak to you 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Dive Deeper | Matthew 12:38–50
Ever ask God to show you a sign of His greatness? Well, you would not be the first. This text begins with Jesus rebuking the scribes and Pharisees for their unbelief and hard hearts. They asked for an authenticating sign that would prove who Jesus was, yet He had already been teaching with great authority (Matthew 7:29) and doing many miracles in their midst (Matthew 8:16). Jesus, knowing their evil intent, says that "the sign of the prophet Jonah" is the only sign they will see. Just as Jonah was miraculously delivered from the belly of the fish, Jesus foreshadows that His death and resurrection will prove to His disciples that they had correctly placed their faith in Him as God. While the Ninevites wisely repented at Jonah's message, these unbelievers would be judged because of their rejection of "something greater than Jonah" (12:41b).
Though Jonah's story points to Jesus, Jesus is unmistakably greater than Jonah. Unlike Jonah who ran from God, Jesus surrendered His will to the Father and out of love willingly went to the grave "to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26). Unlike Jonah who could not rescue himself from the belly of the fish, Jesus' resurrection was under His own power from the Father. This is the greatest miracle God has ever done. Although people continually seek other proof of God's existence or power through signs and miracles, we must heed the greatest miracle already given to all mankind. C.S. Lewis said, “Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.”
I am so thankful God opened my eyes 20 years ago to recognize the truth of and the right response to the "sign of Jonah," summarized well in 2 Corinthians 5:15: "[A]nd he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." Each of us must decide how to respond to this ultimate sign of greatness.
Discussion Questions
1. Read Psalm 145. In what ways has God's greatness shown up in your story? Thank Him for it right now and then tell someone today (Psalm 145:6).
2. Have you been asking God for a sign or an answer He may have already given in His Word? If you don't know where to look, go ask a wise Christian for help.
3. Can it be said of you that you "live for him who died and was raised"? If not, what needs to change?