Luke 11:29-32
29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. 32 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.
Jesus was heading to Jerusalem. He had sent seventy men ahead of Him to let people know He was coming. As He walked through each city along the way, people spilled out of homes and shops to see Him. The men had done their job. The crowds were increasing. Some in the crowd began to ask when the show was going to begin.
One man asked, “When will He turn water into wine?”
An older woman nodded, “I want to see Him heal the sick and raise the dead.”
“How much money will He ask for?” Replied a stern looking shop owner.
A nearby teen shouted, “I heard He commands the weather and walks on water; I want to see it!”
I’m guessing the crowd’s thoughts. But in a world before television the entertainment industry was very different. People would come out to see travelling shows. Jesus often taught in stories called parables that captured the imagination of many. He did amazing things. Word of His power was circulating among the people.
The disciples were probably excited to see the crowds swell as they got closer to Jerusalem. The seventy, most likely, felt very proud. So why did the Master suddenly become so harsh?
- Why was Jesus calling people “wicked?”
- What does this have to do with Jonah?
- Who is the Queen of the South?
Jesus gave the disciples plenty to think about. A few years later when this gospel was being written they still remembered what He had told them. By this time, they fully understood Jesus and we should too. Let me take a few seconds to answer each of these questions as we, like the disciples, consider the words of Christ.
1. Why is Jesus calling people “wicked?”
Jesus wasn’t coming to town as a side-show. He wasn’t entertainment. He’s not the circus or a standup comic. He says it’s wicked of people to gather just to pass the time. That isn’t His purpose. They weren’t going to see Him perform for them. He is decrying the sinful expectations of many. This was His starting point with the disciples and for us. Why do we come to Jesus?
2. What does this have to do with Jonah?
Next, Jonah was delivered to the people of Nineveh after spending three days in the belly of a big fish. Once he arrived it took him three days to walk through the city. His message was simple and gloomy, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be destroyed.” (Jonah 3:4). The people of Nineveh heard this message and immediately repented. They cried out to God and asked how they could be saved from God’s wrath. Even the King of the city heard about what was going on and he repented too.
When Jesus sent the seventy, He told them to say, “The Kingdom of God has come near you” (Luke 10:9). By comparison, Jesus’ message is more cheerful than Jonah’s. Likewise, the miracles accompanying Jesus are more exciting than what happened to Jonah. The stark difference here is the reaction of the crowds. Rather than repent and follow the Lord to Jerusalem, people simply wanted to see a show. They weren’t being deeply changed. In this way the Ninevites were superior to the crowds who had come out to see Jesus.
3. Who is the Queen of the South?
Last Jesus mentions a “Queen from the south,” I doubt you’ve heard this story. I love the fact that Jesus knew it, the disciples knew it, and its addition by Jesus encourages us to look it up. It ties everything together.
1 Kings 10:1
“1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.”
The Queen of Sheba is the Queen of the South that Jesus is talking about. The account continues…
1 Kings 10:6-9
6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 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. 8 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”
The Queen of the South, had come to see God’s King, Solomon. She had travelled to observe his wisdom and strength for herself. She had heard about it, but now after being in Solomon’s presence, she believed. She understood the greatness of God and the glory of His Kingdom. She praised the God of Israel after being in the presence of His King.
Jesus is more wonderful than Solomon. His wisdom is greater. His disciples more blessed to hear His teaching than those in King Solomon’s courts. Jesus told the disciples that the Queen of Sheba was impressed by the God of Solomon and that the people should praise the Lord after being in His presence. The Queen of the South will one day judge them for failing to be impressed by the greatest King. The one who came and walked so closely to them on that day.
She had to travel to see if the claims of Solomon were true and she took them seriously. These people had Jesus right in front of them and they didn’t seem to care.
There’s not much more I can say on this. Once you understand what Jesus was saying and where He was going, His response doesn’t seem harsh anymore. He’s being truthful.
These are the three takeaway truths for us all.
• Jesus is not here to be your entertainer and meet your requests.
• Jesus is clear on the value and purpose of His Kingdom and He wants you to repent and turn to Him to be part of it.
• Jesus is greater than any other king and only He can bring you to the Father.
The only question left is: What is your response to His presence?
If you were encouraged by this devotional, head over to our website and track along with our current series on discipleship. We are going through the Gospel of Luke for this series of six messages, each with a study guide available. Every week I will be posting a devotional here that relates to the topic we are covering.
This week: It’s important to respond properly to Christ. Do you honor His presence in your life?
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