Pontius Pilot once asked Jesus, “What is truth?” It is a question that has continued to be asked through the ages. When it comes to the truth about Jesus, what is your response? When you hear about the amazing things God has done in the lives of people, how Christ Jesus has transformed lives, do you respond with skepticism, immediacy, or desire to know more?
In Luke 11:29-36, Jesus confronts the skepticism of the Pharisees to his teaching about the Kingdom of God. He uses the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba as examples of Gentiles who responded after hearing the truth about God. Both responded to God’s truth in a way that the Pharisees refused with the Son of God standing in their midst.
The Queen of Sheba sought out God’s wisdom because she heard about it. She wanted to know if it was real and discovered it was more than real. She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard (1 Kings 10:6-7, NASB).” The Queen of Sheba is an example of what God intended for Israel – to model living for God to the nations.
In the case of the Ninevites, they repented after Jonah preached to them about impending distaster. Jonah 3:3-5 tells us, “Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, ‘Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.’ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.”
Luke 11:30 tells us, “For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.” Jesus continues to be a sign to us. Will you seek to know the truth about Him? Will you respond to His word — seeking to know if what you hear about Christ Jesus is real? Will you respond to His word, humbling yourself before the risen Lord?
© 2021 CGThelen
140 Character Christian 
I’m amazed that God would want anything to do with me in the first place, since He knows all things ( Psalm 139:16 ) no wonder were saved by grace, through faith !! good word, Dave
Praise God for His love and grace! Thanks for the comment. Blessings.
Just today I caught up with a friend I haven’t talked with for a while. It was a blessing to hear how God has impacted his life, and to receive words of wisdom in return that God’s plan is the best plan.
At our life group this week we talked about how it can often be most difficult to share the gospel with those closest to us, our family and close friends. Living out the grace God shows us, and the love with which Jesus lived out his purpose, is the way to respond to that call to Christ.
Thank you for sharing.
I have friends and family who cannot understand my faith in Jesus. It makes it difficult to share with them what Christ is doing in my life — they can’t appreciate the working of the Spirit. It is such a joy to share our faith journey with other believers where we can strengthen each other in our Christian walk. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
As I probe the witness of truth in Scripture, the more I hunger for more.
May we continue to dig deeper into God’s truth. Thanks for the comment. Blessings.
I think the reason the Ninevites repented was that they saw a man eaten away by fish stomach acids and said to themselves…This man knows what he is talking about. If he says repent we better repent.
I’ve wondered that myself — Jonah’s condition after being in a fish so long. I never thought about how it might’ve affected the Ninevites. Food for thought 🤔 Thanks for the comment. Blessings.
The beauty here is how Jesus continually changes our lives as we continue to grow spiritually and draw closer in our walk with Him. The more we learn and step out of our comfort zones, the more He broadens our horizons to serve and share His message with others. So, I am always excited to hear others’ testimony about how Jesus has or continues to transform their lives. It’s a beautiful reminder that He is not dead but risen and lives seated at the Father’s right hand. Excellent and timely message, my friend. Thank you!
So true. The other part of the story of walking with Jesus is how he matures us in the faith. It is equally encouraging to hear others share their moments of growth. Thanks for reading. Blessings.
Very convicting. Thanks!
Praise God for His word and His Spirit that guides us. Blessings.
To answer your question, when I hear about how Jesus is changing lives, I want to hear more! I never get tired of “God stories,” and I suspect we will be telling them to one another in eternity.
So true. I am always amazed by the different ways God reaches people. It’s encouraging to hear the stories. Thanks for the comment. Blessings.