Imitating Jonah or Jesus ?

Today's post is going to address a dire need of this present hour. This is from the very heart of God .. meditate on this for the sake of a healthy body of Christ.

"The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign (raised Lazarus ). So the Pharisees said to one another: "You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him." John 12:18 ESV

This verse is probably the most heart breaking verse for Christ. For it is an evidence of what the people were really running after .. was it Christ or the the SIGN. Read the verse again slowly to let it sink in.The reason it is in scripture is .. that when our individual self stumble upon this verse .. we must check our hearts if we have treated Christ in a secondary manner and his SIGNs and WONDERs as the primary desire.

God throughout history has given signs, miracles and prophecies.. he gave them for our sake and not his ... and so why did he not give it for his sake ? Because just like the Israelite .. we are in danger of building a golden calf in the ABSENCE of action, miracles and prophecies.

We are born with the energy and desire for substitution, so in the field of finance .. you would substitute a company .. in case of low interests for a company that give better returns.

In the case of medical science , you would substitute a general physician to a specialist in the scenario of disease or health concerns.

In the case of religion, you would substitute a God who gives miracles to a God who doesn't ? That's how most of us get drawn to Jesus ..

But I am going to quote Jesus's words here : " When the crowds were increasing he began to say , this generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign but NO SIGN will be given to it, except for the sign of Jonah" Luke 12:29 ESV

Why did Jesus, the son of God .. the one who is synonymous to compassion and mercy spoke these hard words ? Exactly when the crowd was praising him and gathering in great numbers ? Just before this verse .. there were shouts of adoration.. by a woman who said the womb of his mother is blessed to give birth to him.

Right when these amazing victories are happening , Jesus says .. this generation is EVIL.. which today includes ALL OF US .. including myself.

There have been times I have desperately asked the lord for a specific word and he gave it to me ... but then there were times he didn't give specific instruction, so that I may not grow in dependence to the supernatural but in faith.Some will argue, that faith will always birth supernatural signs, miracles and prophecies.. but there is a pattern that the bible teaches...

When Hannah was mourning for a child .. she just PRAYED.. did she receive a Devine word ? A miracle ? A sign ? A prophecy ?I believe the period after her prayer and the conception of Samuel .. a period without any supernatural word .. that was the period God build her character and faith .. and so she was able to dedicate her son to the lord .. and bless Israel.

What about Abraham ? A story I Mention all the time .. he heard a straight word from God .. go sacrifice the son you love. Was he given a sign or a wonder that God will save his son ? NO .. that's the reason he became the father of faith ...Now if God asks me to do something like this .. I will surely think it's the devil .. but bible is talking about a faith that does not depend on just wonderful and calming words .. but words that can make us feel uncomfortable, words that lead to FAITH .. with which we please God.

When we get UNCOMFORTABLE....or a Godly grief comes upon us .. that's the time we receive great intimacy with the Holy Spirit .. a great .. undefinable .. intimacy.

So here in John 12 .. we see the crowds followed him because of the sign of Lazarus being raised .. what about us ? Tell me , What if God does not do a single miracle for you till you die .... would you still believe ? Now some will argue but God will never do such a thing .. well ... yes he wouldn't.. but I know a woman in the bible who lived her life .. for Jesus and not his signs and wonders.

Her name is Mary .. the one who went to a DEAD JESUS's grave .. she knew Christ had died .. she had never heard of his resurrection .. yet when his body went missing she said " they have taken away MY LORD" She made Jesus her LORD .. even when he was simply dead and couldn't give her another miracle.

Why did Jesus say that the ones who seek signs and wonders will only receive a sign of Jonah ? Well the story of Jonah talks about a failed prophecy and an angry prophet ... Jesus is leading us to understand that the purpose of prophecies is not to exalt the prophet but to display the MERCY of God ..In short .. MERCY has the power to fail a prophecy .. what do I mean?

Jonah the prophet prophecies that "YET 40 days and NINEVEH SHALL be OVERTHROWN.."But people believed in God and their mercy and so they repented .. and VOILA ... God does not fulfill the prophets word ., for his mercy is greater than JUDGEMENT ( sacrifice is symbolic of judgement ) which of course made Jonah upset, he said I knew you are a gracious God and you who'd forgive them ...

What do we learn ... well .... let's be merciful in our ways .., and God will fulfill his highest will in us ..Jesus told us before hand that if you go after the prophetic , the miraculous .. that's wonderful .. but it might lead us to become an evil generation ... but if we pursue MERCY .... God will manifest in our lives everyday .

If Jonah symbolized the prophetic and Jesus Mercy .. then which one would you imitate?

Prayer : Lord Jesus .. mercy is so painful and sometimes beyond our understanding .. let's today's word bring conviction and not condemnation .. all those who pursue this .. open their eyes in your great mercy and speak to them in the silence of the night and in the meditation of their heart . AmenStay blessed 💕