Sunday July 17th: At the Lord’s feet
July 17, 2022
In old age they will still bear fruit
July 18, 2022
“Pay attention to the Now!”
Matthew 12:38-42
The story of the prophet Jonah swallowed up by a whale and then spat out onto dry land is a myth. It was used to symbolize how God can do anything to fulfil his purpose, in this case, convert the pagans in Nineveh through Jonah’s preaching.
Jesus referred to this story in today’s Gospel to illustrate to the Scribes and Pharisees who were asking for a sign, that they needed to open their eyes to see what he was doing was far greater than Jonah’s actions. The miracles he performed, the people he cured, the many talks he gave were the climax of what had gone before. If they thought what Jonah had achieved was great, what he, Jesus, was doing was far superior. They needed to pay attention to the Now!
So, Jonah facing death and spending three days and nights in the belly of the whale unharmed pales in comparison to Jesus experiencing actual death and then rising from that death. Indeed, “there is something greater than Jonah here.”
Lord, help our unbelief!
Photo by Monstera
