Jonah is a prophet running away, both from God and the people he is called to save. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is running toward those he is called to save.

For three days, Jonah is in the belly of the great fish. For three days, Jesus is in the belly of the earth. Jonah is spit onto land and begrudgingly obeys God. Jesus rises victoriously and willfully obeys God to redeem the world.

“Something greater than Jonah is here,” says Jesus in Matthew 12:41. Something greater, indeed.

Even the wind and the waves obey him.

MOVING FORWARD: Read the book of Jonah. It’s short, with only four chapters. What are the similarities and differences between Jonah’s and Jesus’ stories?