Big Fish and Freedom
Matthew 12:38-42
38 At this some of the Torah-teachers said, “Rabbi, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.” 39 He replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign? No! None will be given to it but the sign of the prophet Yonah. 40 For just as Yonah (Jonah) was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea-monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the depths of the earth. 41 The people of Ninveh will stand up at the Judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they turned from their sins to God when Yonah preached, but what is here now is greater than Yonah. 42 The Queen of the South will stand up at the Judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Shlomo (Solomon), but what is here now is greater than Shlomo.
Three days and three nights... In the Complete Jewish Bible the bolded words above are from Jonah 2:1
Adonai prepared a huge fish to swallow Yonah; and Yonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.
These verses have so much packed into them, where does one begin to try and explain? No signs given to a generation that was NOT willing to follow Adonai. Jesus knew the hearts of the Torah teachers had turned and their desires within were not what God desired.
The people of Ninevah did repent. They changed their ways. Jesus saw that what was happening among His people was worse than those to whom Jonah was sent. Even the "Queen of the South" (Queen of Sheba) would condemn what she saw happening.
It should really make someone wonder what Jesus would say if He were walking on the earth today. With all that is happening in countries around the world, what would Jesus teach? Would He condemn the hatred and lies that are being taught? If so, how would He speak the condemnation? Will He give us signs, or will there be "no signs" because we are not willing to follow Him?
What one should not miss in verses like the ones above are the hidden messages. In these it has to do with the death of Jesus. He knew what was coming. He knew He would be in the depth of the earth for "three days and three nights."
As followers of Christ, most communities of faith celebrate that Jesus died on Friday and rose on Sunday. I always wondered, as a child growing up, how this teaching followed what Jesus said about three days and three nights. It never worked in my head.
When I began to understand how Shabbat and the Festivals in Torah holidays operate, things fell into place. Jesus was not crucified on a Friday. Passover was a Shabbat and it occurred in the middle of the week. The tomb was empty on Sunday morning, the first day of the week, but He actually rose anytime after Shabbat ended Saturday evening. His official rest was done at that moment. Jesus was in the grave for three days and three nights just as He said He would be.
For anyone who was focusing and understand His Words, they would realize what took place. Anyone who wanted to learn would know that He was Who He said.
Take time to look deeper into the Words Jesus spoke and taught. Sometimes it might not "line up" with what you have been taught. At those moments we must stop and ask Holy Spirit to show us the Way. Jonah found freedom after being in the fish. Jesus was always free, but set people free when the grave was empty. How are you going to find your freedom?
Don't be like Jonah and get stuck in the belly of a fish. Trust Him the first time. It might mean a change of thinking, but it does set you free.
Love and blessings,
Rose
There is more explaining that can be done about the three days and three nights, but my blog is to keep it short and simple. We have articles available explaining more. If you have questions you can always email me.
All donations are tax deductible through TBG. Click the picture below to take you to the TBG homepage and from there you can "Give Online.”
