While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.The people ask for another sign. The greek word for “sign” is “miracle”. This scene happens after many miracles, including the feeding of the 5000 and even the transfiguration, but these people are not looking for a sign of faith, they are looking for another spectacle. Jesus at this time has given many signs, and yet it still does not convince them and so He says the only sign they will be given is the sign of Jonah.
So what is the sign of Johan. This is where our Disney-fied culture has done us a great disservice. The story of Johan is not about a man just hanging out in a whale for 3 days, and then popping out. It is a story that prefigures the death and ressurection of Jesus, and the whale is just the metaphor for death. In the story Johan is told to go to ninevah and preach repentance. Johan (and all the Jews) hated the ninevites, and he does not want to go. He is then swallowed up by the whale, litterally dies (in the bible it says he is dead), and in 3 days is resurrected. Afterward he goes to the ninevites, and preaches to them, and as a result the ninivites repent, he and saves the whole city.
So what is Jesus telling these people? That His death and resurrection will be the new sign of Jonah. That when this happens they will know that Jesus is Lord, and God of all people. Jesus will die and in three days He will resurrect Himself, and like Jonah, He will bring His word to all the nations and they will repent.
It is a beautiful analogy, and it was not lost on the jews of this time. He is rebuking them for their lack of faith, but telling them that soon they will have the ultimate sign, and at that point they will have to make a choice between good and evil, right an wrong, and their choice will be a true act of faith and not just a response to another miracle.
This is our call too, are you looking for a miracle in order to believe. Well the truth is that Jesus did many miracles. He is the 2nd person of the trinity, was incarnated as a man Jesus (through mary), he lived for 33 years, taught us the gospel, suffered, died, and resurrected Himself. Those are true facts, it has been attested, confirmed and re-confirmed, it is beyond doubt. So that fact puts a claim on you, are you going to believe it, are you going to reject it, or are you going to walk away unchanged. The first two are the only logical reactions, the 3rd is utterly ridiculous. What will you do? You must decide, but be aware, your eternity depends on it…, choose wisely.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.Oh lord help me to be the best possible version of myself, and to love you and serve you and be with you forever in eternity.