Advent readings, Day 4 - Luke 11: 29-32

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. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise at the judgment 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! 32 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!

As we move toward the birth of Christ, we wonder who this child is that born in Bethlehem and what he is like.    In a cryptic answer, Jesus describes to the crowds what might be coming -- a sign similar to Jonah.  We remember that Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days; one day the people will discover that Christ is in the tomb three days.  Jonah was called to preached repentance to the Ninevites, a people whose actions suggested they deserved condemnation; Jesus will come and offer repentance to people who deserve God's judgment and condemnation.  This Advent reading reminds us that we need to connect the sweet, little baby in the manger with the one who will redeem the world by his death on the cross and his resurrection.