Readings: Psalm 90; Isaiah 1:24-31; Luke 11:29-32
When 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. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgement 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 see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! Luke 11:29-32, NRSV
“As the crowds increased, Jesus said, ‘This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’” Luke 11:29
As the crowds increased suggests popularity, lots of people glomming on for the magic show, signs and wonders. You want a sign? Jesus says. You want a sign? Ok, I’ll give you one: Jonah.
People who want a sign are generally looking for something hopeful, positive, something to help them keep hanging on. “Give me some kind of sign, God!” But Jesus uses some pretty strong language to push back against that kind of signal. “This,” he says, “is a wicked generation” of uplifting sign-seekers. What he offers—the only thing he offers—is the sign of Jonah, the one who descended, who rode Moby Dick all the way to the bottom of the sea. It’s an ancient, sea-faring version of the paschal mystery—three days down, down in the belly of the beast, and only then salvation.
Best not to read this story to your kids around the Jesse Tree. This is an adults-only Advent message. The “coming” we await at Advent is a coming down, a divine “humbling” (Phil. 2:7) that leads to exaltation. Perhaps we should, in addition to the oxen, cattle and sheep, add a nice little whale to our creche scenes this year.
Offered by David Anderson, God’s beloved child.
Thanks, David. The descent is the only way forward – the whale route…peace, Johnna