A Better Jonah has Come | Matthew 12:38-41
Have you ever asked God for a sign? Like: God, if you are here, if you are real, if you love me, if this is going to work out, if this is true, would you just give me a little sign? A few years ago, this was a headline from a story published by the Associated Press: “Lightning Hits as Preacher Asks for a Sign from God.” A pastor was preaching at First Baptist Church in Forest, Ohio. During his evening message, he emphasized repentance and asked God for a sign to prove it. At that moment, the church’s steeple was hit by lightning, blowing the sound system out and setting the church on fire. Church member Ronnie Chaney said, “It was awesome, just awesome. The lightning apparently traveled through the microphone and hit the preacher, but he was not seriously injured. You could hear the storm building outside. He just kept asking God for a sign, and I guess he got one.” The service continued for about 20 more minutes until the congregation realized that the building was on fire, and they evacuated. Was that a sign from God or a coincidence? What would it take for you to truly believe in Jesus and surrender your life to Him?
The gospel, according to Matthew, is the historical and Biblical account of Jesus. The Gospel message that is proclaimed all around the world for over two thousand years is: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and three days later rose from the dead. The good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is why we gather on Easter. Countless billions around the world have had their lives and eternities changed by it, but not everyone believes in it enough to surrender their lives to Jesus. That may be you, today. In Matthew 12, Jesus is going to be challenged by his skeptics, and He is going to point them to a strange sign that points back to Him as the Savior of the World.