Wednesday 24 February

Today is Wednesday the 24 February, in the first week of Lent.

Josh Garrels sings, 'Turn your eyes upon Jesus'.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

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. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation.The queen of the South will rise at the judgement 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! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!

The internet, TV, radio, newspapers and magazines – they’re all full of people offering advice on how to live better, happier, more fulfilled lives. Make more money, practice mindfulness, exercise regularly, the list is endless. How do you choose which advice to listen to? Why listen to Jesus more than any of the others?

The people hearing Jesus are asking for a sign, a sign of why they should take his teaching to heart. Perhaps they’re looking for a miracle, like the feeding of the 5000. Or a thunderous voice from heaven, like the one that Moses heard. Jesus offers instead only two rather mysterious examples. The preaching of Jonah, and the wisdom of Solomon.The lives of those who heard Jonah and Solomon were changed by what they heard.What difference has hearing Jesus made to you?

This is not an easy passage. As you listen to it again, try to see why it is that Jesus is comparing himself to Jonah and Solomon.

As this time of prayer comes to an end, return to the original question: how to live well.Talk to Jesus about your own thoughts on this.