“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."
LUKE 1:29-30
The sign of Jonah refers to the prophet Jonah, who was sent by God to preach repentance to the wicked city of Nineveh. Jonah initially disobeyed God and tried to flee, but he was swallowed by a large fish and stayed in its belly for three days and three nights. He prayed to God and was released, and then he went to Nineveh and delivered God’s message. The people of Nineveh believed Jonah and repented of their sins, and God spared them from destruction.
Jesus used the sign of Jonah as a metaphor for his own death and resurrection. He said that just as Jonah was in the fish for three days and three nights, so he would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. He also said that just as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so He would be a sign to His generation. He meant that His death and resurrection would be the ultimate proof of His identity and authority as the Son of God, and the only way of salvation for sinners.
However, Jesus also warned that His generation was evil and adulterous, because they demanded a sign from Him, but they did not believe or repent even after seeing His miracles and hearing His words. He said that at the judgment, the men of Nineveh and the queen of the south would rise up and condemn His generation, because they had shown more faith and wisdom than His contemporaries. The queen of the south refers to the queen of Sheba, who visited King Solomon and admired his wisdom. She came from a faraway land, but she recognized the greatness of Solomon and his God. Jesus said that He was greater than both Jonah and Solomon, because He was the fulfillment of the prophecies and the source of true wisdom and grace.
29 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. 30 Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 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. 32 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.” (Luke 11:29-32)
They asked for a sign, but none would be given except for the sign of the prophet Jonah who spent three days in the belly of a fish and then preached to the Ninevites who turned from their sin. They did not know that the Son of Man would also spend three days in the heart of the earth and then rise from the dead to prove His worth and offer salvation to all who believe in Him. They did not heed the words of wisdom and grace that came from His mouth with power and truth. They rejected the one who was greater than Solomon and the queen of the south who came from afar. They did not repent like the men of Nineveh who listened to Jonah and changed their ways. They ignored the one who was greater than Jonah and the judgment that awaits them on the final day.
Lord Jesus, You are the sign of Jonah, the one who died and rose again. You are the Son of Man, the one who will judge the living and the dead. You are the one who is greater than Solomon, the one who has all wisdom and power. You are the one who is greater than Jonah, the one who brings mercy and grace. Forgive us, Lord, for we are an evil generation. We seek a sign, but we do not believe or repent. We ignore your words and your works, and we reject your offer of salvation. We are like the Pharisees and the scribes, who opposed you and plotted your death. Help us, Lord, to be like the Ninevites and the queen of the south who listened to Jonah and Solomon, and recognized your greatness and authority, who turned from their sins and sought your wisdom, and received your favor and blessing, who will rise up at the judgment and condemn our generation, for they had more faith and humility. We thank You, Lord, for Your love and compassion. You came to save us, not to condemn us. You gave us your Spirit, not to leave us alone. You gave us Your Word, not to confuse us. We praise You, Lord, for Your majesty and glory. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. You are the Way and the Truth and the Life. Amen.
God gave Jonah a second chance to obey His command and go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, a powerful and cruel empire that threatened Israel. Jonah reluctantly went to Nineveh and preached a short and simple message: “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed.” To his surprise, the people of Nineveh, from the king to the lowest, believed God and repented of their sins. They showed their repentance by fasting, wearing sackcloth, and sitting in ashes. They also hoped that God would spare them from His wrath and forgive them.
God saw their sincere repentance and decided not to destroy them. He showed His mercy and compassion to the Ninevites, even though they were not His chosen people and had done many evil things. He also showed His patience and grace to Jonah, even though he had disobeyed and resented Him. God wanted Jonah to learn that He cares for all people, and that He wants them to repent and be saved.
1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.” 3 So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh, according to the Lord’s bidding. Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” 5 when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. 6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. 7 Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles: “Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. 8 Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. 9 Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.” 10 When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out. (Jonah 3:1-10)
God spoke to Jonah once again and told him to go to Nineveh, the city of sin and violence, and warn them of their fate. Jonah obeyed and went his way to the great and mighty city. He walked for a day and cried aloud, "Repent or you will perish". The people heard and believed his word. They fasted and put on sackcloth. They humbled themselves before the Lord and hoped for His mercy and grace. The king also heard and left his throne. He stripped off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth and ashes and issued a decree to all. "Let no one eat or drink anything. Let man and beast be clothed in sackcloth. Let everyone call on God and turn from sin. Who knows, he may spare us from his wrath". God saw their deeds and changed his mind. He did not destroy them as he planned. He showed them His love and compassion and taught Jonah a lesson of his own.
Father in heaven, You are the God of second chances. You sent Jonah to Nineveh, the city of wickedness, and gave them an opportunity to repent and be saved. You showed them Your mercy and compassion and spared them from Your judgment and wrath. Forgive us, Lord, for we are like Jonah. We often disobey Your commands and run away from Your will. We do not care for the lost and the perishing. We do not share Your gospel and Your love. We are selfish and proud and resentful. Help us, Lord, to be like the Ninevites who heard Jonah's message and believed Your word who humbled themselves before You and turned from their sins, who sought Your forgiveness and Your grace, who received Your salvation and Your peace. We thank You, Lord, for Your patience and kindness. You do not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. You sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to die and rise again. You gave us Your Holy Spirit, to guide and empower us. You gave us Your Word, to teach and transform us. We praise You, Lord, for Your sovereignty and glory. You are the Creator and the Sustainer of all things. In Jesus most holy name we pray, Amen.
This is a psalm of David, when he confessed his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah, after the prophet Nathan confronted him. This psalm is a prayer of repentance, in which David asks God for mercy, forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration. He acknowledges his sin and guilt, and appeals to God’s loving kindness and compassion. He does not rely on external rituals or sacrifices, but on a sincere and humble heart. He also asks God to renew his spirit, to restore his joy, and to use him for his service and glory. This psalm is a model of how we can approach God when we have sinned and need His grace. It shows us that God is willing to forgive and heal us, if we come to Him with a contrite and broken spirit. It also shows us that God can transform us and make us new creations, who can praise Him and share His love with others.
3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 4 Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. 12 A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. 13 Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. 18 For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 19 My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19)
O God, have mercy on me in Your love blot out my transgressions by Your grace wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a pure heart and renew my spirit. Do not cast me away from Your presence. Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. You do not delight in sacrifices or offerings. You do not require burnt offerings or sin offerings. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart You will not despise.
Pericope:
V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative
THE DEMAND FOR A SIGN
Luke 11:29-32
Book of Jonah
CONVERSION OF NINEVEH
Jonah 3:1-10
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
THE MISERERE: PRAYER OF REPENTANCE
Psalm 51:1-19
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat
