03/12/2014 

Written by Amber Tafao

How interesting that in Matthew 12:39-41 Jesus references the story of Jonah and the whale as an allegory for His own burial. It is evidence of the fact that He came not to “abolish the law or the prophets… but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).

The Old Testament is full of signs and wonders that point to the coming of the Messiah, which make sense and come full circle with His death, burial and resurrection. The beauty of mentioning the story of Jonah is wrapped up in the mercy God extended to the Ninevites when they hearkened unto the message and sought repentance.

Jesus is admonishing the people in Matthew as they clamor for Him to perform signs and wonders. How easy is it to believe when miraculous things happen before your very eyes, but is that faith? “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

Walk in faith. Reject sin. Be obedient. Be ever so thankful that the Mercy of God sent His only beloved Son to die on the cross to forgive your sins that you might have fellowship with Him once again.

What victory, what joy, what cause for celebration there is that He did not remain in the “belly of the whale” but rose again, conquering sin and death once and for all.