Luke 11:29-32 NRSVue
29When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and indeed, something greater than Solomon is here! 32The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and indeed, something greater than Jonah is here!
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Jonah's work was to call a whole people to recognise their sin and need for
God's forgiveness.
Reflection
Jesus is saying, pretty strongly, that something similar is called for now.
Reflection
Do I hear this? How do I react?
Reflection
Jonah was remembered as the prophet who warned his people to repent, and all
of them, including the king, heard and heeded him. They seized their
opportunity and were ready to be jolted out of their routine.
Reflection
Lord, you come to me in unexpected and sometimes unwelcome forms. The Jews
who gathered round Jesus failed to recognise the truth he spoke. May I be
ready not merely to listen to your words, but to shape my life by them.
Reflection
The sign Jesus refers to is not the mysterious sign of Jonah in the whale’s
belly, but the sign of repentance which Jonah preached to the people, and
which the Queen of the south with all her finery accepted. They listened to
the word of God; this is the new sign of Jesus. All his works and energy
reinforce that his word is true and is the word of God. All scripture can
lead us to repentance – to a change of mind and heart to be more like the
heart and mind of Jesus.