Scripture Texts – Jonah 3.1-10 and Matthew 12.38-45

Jesus used the repentance of the Ninevites to rebuke the Pharisees, thereby illustrating the hardness of the Pharisees' hearts and their unwillingness to repent. The heathen city of Nineveh repented at the preaching of a reluctant prophet, but the Pharisees would not repent at the preaching of the greatest of all prophets, despite overwhelming evidence that He was their LORD and Messiah. The Ninevites got it right.

I. They got it right because they humbled themselves from the least to the greatest. (vv5-6)
In 2Ch 7:14 we read, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Notice how humility comes first. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were too prideful and too religious to have a relationship with the Savior. Is the sermon for me or always for someone else?

II. They got it right because they fasted, prayed, and sought the LORD’s face. (vv7-8a)
The Pharisees of Jesus day prayed to be seen and heard by others. Mat 6:1 ESV "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” As church people, why do we do what we do? Are pastors being sent or are some just going? What’s the motive? Do we truly seek the LORD’s will BEFORE deciding?

III. They got it right because they turned from their evil ways. (vv8b-9)
The Assyrians were a violent people. But according to v5, they believed God. And in v8b, they repented. In 1Sam 6, we find the Philistines repenting to God. But the religious elite of Jesus’ day saw no need for repentance. Does America see a need to repent? Does today’s church see a need? Does any of us?

How sad is it when unbelievers have a greater chance of being saved than religious people who don’t recognize the need for repentance? This is what Jesus was dealing with then. And this issue is still with us today. Too many churches have become too religious without a primary focus on a relationship with Jesus. You want to be a person who gets it right? Humble yourself. Pray. Seek the LORD’s face. And turn from sin. Receive the LORD Jesus Christ today! Amen.