Read Luke 11

In his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” Jonathan Edwards soberly warned people of the reality of hell. One congregant later recorded in his journal that before Edwards had finished, “There was a great moaning and crying went out through ye whole House . . .‘What shall I do to be saved?’”

The prophet Jonah is another preacher whose words caused people to turn to God in repentance and faith. Though Jonah initially ran from the call to go to Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian empire, he eventually obeyed. “Forty more days, and Nineveh will be overthrown!” he called out in her streets (Jonah 3:4). The king of Nineveh heard Jonah’s warning, repented, and proclaimed a fast for the entire city. The city of Nineveh was spared God’s judgment.

In our reading today, Jesus claims that He is a greater Jonah. Like Jonah, He is preaching a message of sin, repentance, and salvation. Unlike Jonah, however, He isn’t preaching to a foreign Gentile city; He is preaching to Israel, God’s chosen people. Moreover, He is preaching to God’s chosen religious leaders: Woe to you, you, Pharisees! Woe to you, experts in the Law! (vv. 42–52).

Jesus’ preaching is accompanied by miraculous signs, including the deliverance of the demon-possessed— but even this did not convince Israel. They accused Him of colluding with the Devil, driving out demons by demons, a suggestion that Jesus finds ridiculous (v. 17). What kingdom survives when it is divided against itself?

Jonah grudgingly preached repentance to Nineveh; he preferred to see the fire of God’s judgment to fall. But Jesus, on the other hand, is the greater Jonah. He preaches for Israel’s repentance—and willingly gives His life when she refuses.

APPLY THE WORD

Hebrews 4:7 includes an important warning: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” When God’s Holy Spirit, through the preaching of His Word, convicts us of sin, we should not delay repentance. Today is the day of salvation and forgiveness. God is gracious, and today is the day for admitting, confessing, and being healed of sin.

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