When the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign, they basically just wanted to see a miracle. But Jesus never performed miracles for show. He told them that no sign would be given to them except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
Jonah's being in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights was an appropriate sign for Jesus' being dead and in the grave for three days. Jonah thought he was dead – he didn't know the end of the story when he was in the fish's belly. Jesus died and was buried, and His body remained in the tomb for three days. When He rose from the dead, the Jewish chief priests recived the sign and understood what had happened. Nevertheless, they still did not believe.
Salvation is of the Lord! We don't have to qualify that sentence. God is the One Who draws us and gives us faith. This was the case with Jonah in the fish's belly. He was as good as dead in the fish's belly, but God saved him.
Jesus was in the grave for three days, but His body is no longer there. His resurrection and ascension were the beginning of His glorification, which is continuing now. And He will return with that same body on the Great Last Day.
No one is in hell who doesn't deserve to be there, and no one in heaven (except Jesus) who does deserve to be there. It's only because of Christ and His perfect Sacrifice that we can rejoice in our salvation!
SERMON ACTIVITY
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