Whale

Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17 (NLT)

Jesus gave the religious cynics the sign of Jonah: as Jonah was in the whale for three days and three nights, so Christ would be in the earth before He was resurrected. Cynics today say that Friday-Sunday isn't three days and nights. Yet 'Good Friday' is a Roman Catholic tradition. Because it was the Jewish Passover festival, Jesus could well have been crucified on a Thursday- John's Gospel even mentions that there was a special Sabbath to observe and not to be handling His body on.

Even if we can neatly tie up the three days and nights, there's no doubt that Jonah's survival of the whale was a miracle. Similarly, Jesus's defeat of death was the greatest miracle ever. 'Because He lives, we can face tomorrow'.

Jonah was raised for a purpose, to declare God's word to the evil Ninevites. They heard and responded to God's word. Jesus was raised to give hope to all who will believe in Him for everlasting life. We don't need to perish as we deserve.

Nothing is impossible for God. He who raised Christ from the dead can come through for us. If Jonah survived the whale, we can survive whatever life throws at us.

'Almighty Lord, we're so grateful that nothing is impossible for You. Please help us to trust You for our salvation, in Christ's name, amen'.