Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

I always find it kind of comical when a king or ruler goes “undercover” among the people they oversee. They get a real dose of how life is as someone who isn’t waited on hand and foot. And people say things to them they would never say, had they known who they were.

We recently had a news release where a star athlete from Boise State, Football Running Back Ashton Jenty, a first round NFL draft pick, was not treated very well at a high-end fashion store. Appearances can be deceiving. I bet they are kicking themselves now, he could have bought a lot of merchandise.

Jesus is telling these ignorant leaders that though they reference past kings and prophets, one much greater than they were … is here! He is more powerful, as evidenced by his miracles, signs, and wonders. He is more knowledgeable about who God is and what matters to him. He teaches with authority. And he is humble and kind to the least likely people.

So Jesus issues a warning to the leaders and the people that they should repent. As it stands now, they are guilty of a worse sin than some of the most notorious sinful nations of the past. And on judgment day, they will meet justice face-to-face.

So how do I treat Jesus? Is he just a convenient friend or Savior, someone I run to when life is hard? Or is he something much more? Is he a personal God I can dwell with and emulate in life?

Lord, thank you for being the wonderful, powerful, gracious, and truthful Eternal King that you are! You reign over all my relationships, over all my ambitions and needs, and you reign over my heart! I love you! I choose to follow you today and tomorrow. I choose to follow you in the pastures and in the dry places, into the storms and into the victories. Your are my Savior and my Lord! Lead on, and I will follow.