Date: 24 April 2022

Speaker: Kobus Swart

When the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign,  He referred to the sign of Jonah, who was in the belly of the sea monster for three days and three nights. Then Jesus continued: Something greater than Jonah is here. The Son of Man would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. There is a deep Truth that we must not miss in this story! While Jonah was in the belly of the sea monster, we read in Jonah 2, that he cried from the depth of Sheol (=grave or pit), not “hell” as some translations have it. Then after the fish vomited Jonah up on the dry land, he went and proclaimed the Word that God had given him, in Nineveh. The result was that the whole city turned from their wicked way; then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared that He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

This story gives us a key how to look at the finished work of Christ on the Cross, followed by three days and three nights in the grave. God is not slow about Hid promises, as some count slowness, but is PATIENT toward us, not wishing for any to be lost but for all to come to repentance! At the Name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and EVERY tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of the Father!

Worthy is the LAMB that was slain!