When the prophet Jonah finally got back on course and arrived in Nineveh to preach, he had one big “fish story” to tell: I was a goner, I was drowning in the sea, and I was saved by a fish this big! Can you see him with arms out wide as he tells the story of his rescue from drowning?

The miracle was that it worked. The citizens of this city in enemy territory were moved to repentance. And God, true to God’s Word, was moved to cancel the announced plan and to relent from their destruction. Jonah and his fish story were meant to be an important lesson to the people of God about their mission among the nations!

Jesus tells his critics that there is about to be another fish story. It’s about to happen again: someone alive after certain death. A larger than life story with outstretched arms! What more evidence should anyone seek? Now, Jesus says, would be a good time to believe, to repent, to pray, to tell the story.

There are already in our midst those with an incredible story to tell of life after rescue from destruction.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Do not cast me away from your presence. Sustain in me a willing spirit. Then I will teach your ways, and sinners will return to you.”

Jack Reiffer

Appointed readings for today: Jonah 3:1-10, Psalm 51:11-18, Luke 11:29-32