Greater than Jonah
Greater than Jonah
Today, let’s draw strength from thinking about the power and uniqueness of our awesome Savior, Jesus Christ.
. . . . now one greater than Jonah is here. Matthew 12:41
The revival recorded in the Old Testament book of Jonah is considered one of the greatest in history. To find a more unlikely setting for spiritual awakening would be difficult.
Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was one of the most hated cities in the ancient world. The cruelty of the Ninevites was legendary and it was only matched by their paganism. To a devout Jew, the fires of Hades could not burn hot enough for a Ninevite.
Jonah, on the other hand, was more than just a reluctant prophet. He probably would have cheered at Nineveh’s destruction. The last thing he wanted to do there was preach repentance. The last thing he wanted to see was mercy for Nineveh.
You know the story: Jonah would have rather drowned in the sea than offer God’s grace to the Ninevites.
That’s why their response is so amazing. Jonah had barely even mumbled out his message when the king ordered a massive fast and seeking of God. Mixing one very reluctant prophet with one very sinful city should have very little effect. What happened in Nineveh was nothing less than miraculous. No Vegas odds-maker would have ever called that one.
Thus, Jonah’s reputation as an Old Testament character approached heroic levels with the religious leaders of Christ’s day. Any prophet greater than Jonah had to be taken seriously, and Christ once again used an Old Testament icon to point out that he was the greatest prophet of all.
Jesus actually elevated godless Nineveh over the religious leaders of his own day. His comments, if made today, might sound like this:
“The people of Nineveh, the people you despise most in history, still had enough spiritual intuition to repent at the preaching of a reluctant prophet like Jonah. What then does it say about you, who when offered life by One far greater than Jonah, reject not only the message but messenger as illegitimate? The men of Nineveh will laugh at you for your arrogance.”
Jesus is not just another prophet. Don’t make the common mistake of clumping Jesus in the group of well-known and politically correct religious leaders of history. He, by is own acknowledgement, is far greater. Only God can claim to be superior to God’s messengers–and Jesus did.
Second, Jesus is not someone who can be ignored. Many in history have tried to simply look away from Jesus. They hope that somehow by not deciding about him they can escape culpability before him. They’re wrong.
Jesus’ “someone greater than Jonah” statement is intended to be heard as a declaration of his absolute supremacy over all prophets and perceived religious messengers. You cannot get around him. You cannot sidestep his presence. He will not go away if you just ignore him.
Jesus is absolutely the best thing ever to happen to humans. Love and adore him. Not only is he greater than Jonah, he is greater than anyone or anything else we might choose to name.
