Big Fish

Jonah 1: 1 “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying . . . ”

The book of Jonah is about a man that refused to do what God told him to do. He would expend any energy and offer any excuse, but he didn't want to obey God. (Sound familiar?)

We have all heard one of our buddies tell stories of the big one that got away. Some of us have told more than a few (Bart). The term "fish story" is synonymous with untruth. The fish has a tendency to get bigger and bigger each time that story is told! Jonah is a TRUE "fish story" about a BIG FISH and a BIGGER GOD. The truth of Jonah’s story should not be in question, because it is God who tells the story.

The book of Jonah is the subject of alot ridicule, doubt, and skepticism. This skepticism comes from people (not just atheists, but theologians as well) who can't comprehend the idea of a huge fish swallowing a human being. To them, Jonah is just a “fish story” and not a miracle performed by an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God

The Bible views Jonah as a historical person (one who really existed not just a story) in 2 Kings and as the subject of a miracle in the book of Jonah. Jesus talked about Jonah and his experience as real and supernatural also.

Mt 12: 39 “But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. “The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.”

The Scribes and Pharisees refused to believe His word. They demanded a sign. Jesus gave them the sign of Jonah’s three days and nights in the belly of the big fish. Jesus relates the story of Jonah to His death and resurrection yet to come. To me, this gives the book of Jonah absolute credibility as TRUTH, not just a “fish story”, and it should to you also. Those who attack the book of Jonah attack the credibility of Jesus Christ.

Jesus wouldn't provide a miracle for the scribes and Pharisees; He didn’t give in to their demand for tangible evidence : “If you perform a miracle for us, we will believe.” Jesus answered that with, “If you believe in the Word of God, you will see.” Just as Jesus didn’t give in to their demands, neither should we. Are you willing to take God at His Word? Or, do you, like the Pharisees, need outside proof?

1 Co 15: 3-4 “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…”

Hey Mr. Pharisee, there's the sign you were asking for !!! Did they get it? No!!! Do you get it? Is it real to you, or just a "fish story"?

The Word of God has authority because of its origin. The Word does not have to be backed up by science or proved by man. It stands on its own authority. When it comes to truth, man does not call God to account, but God calls man to account. Jesus gives absolute credibility to what some think of as just another “fish story”. Do you take Jesus at His Word? I certainly do! If Jesus says it; you can bank on it!!!

John 5: 24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”