#73 Luke 11:29-32 The Sign of Jonah

On May 29, 2022 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode #73 Luke 11:29-32

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.

Amy:
If you’re anything like us, you desire to fix your eyes on Jesus despite the distractions and pressures of this world. This podcast makes room for us to do just that. Each week we focus on one passage from the Bible by reading it several times and creating stillness after each reading so we might also be still, listen, and know God more.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke. In today’s passage, Jesus continues speaking to a growing crowd after he drove a mute demon out of a man. The crowd was amazed, but many were skeptical, and some wanted Jesus to perform a miraculous sign to prove his authority. In response to this, Jesus references historical figures who lived ~700 to 900 years earlier. In case you don’t know who they are, I’ll provide a quick summary.

Jesus references the prophet Jonah and the country of Ninevah. God sent Jonah to preach to the brutal, wicked nation of Ninevah, but Jonah fled from the Lord’s instructions and hopped on a ship to cross the sea in the opposite direction. God sent a storm, and Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a big fish. He lived in the belly of the fish for three days before the fish spat him up on shore. Afterward, Jonah obeyed God, preached to the Ninevites, and they repented of their sins and turned to God.

Jesus also refers to King Solomon and the Queen of the South, also known as the Queen of Sheba. God had made Solomon the wisest king on Earth, and Solomon had built a temple dedicated to the worship of the Lord. When the Queen of Sheba heard of him, she traveled to his country to learn more about him and His God. She was overwhelmed by the righteousness and love of God and came to worship God herself.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before Joy reads today’s passage, take a minute to pour out your heart to God. Maybe it’s a list of questions for which you need answers, grief, anger, anxiety, hope, gratitude, joy, or a mix of all these things and more. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to God in the next minute.

[Pause and pour out your heart to God]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
In today’s passage, Jesus continues speaking to a growing crowd after he drove a mute demon out of a man. The crowd was amazed, but many were skeptical, and some wanted Jesus to perform a miraculous sign to prove his authority. As I read, consider the question: What does this tell us about God?

Luke 11:29-32 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the Earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.”

Again?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about God?

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
In today’s passage, Jesus continues speaking to a growing crowd after he drove a mute demon out of a man. The crowd was amazed, but many were skeptical, and some wanted Jesus to perform a miraculous sign to prove his authority. As I reread the passage, consider: What does this tell us about people?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy:
In today’s passage, Jesus continues speaking to a growing crowd after he drove a mute demon out of a man. The crowd was amazed, but many were skeptical, and some wanted Jesus to perform a miraculous sign to prove his authority. As I read for the last time, ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?

Take the next minute to ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy: Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you turn your face toward God today and listen to Him.

One Response

Amy:
Matthew records a similar, if not the same, conversation, and I’d like to read his record of it from the New Living Translation. Matthew 12:39-42, Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the Earth for three days and three nights.

“The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.”

Christgazer, may we be a people who examine ourselves rightly before put demands on others. May we also be a teachable people and listen, really listen to Jesus.

Closing

Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.