The Heart of the Earth: Christ’s Journey, Our Reflection

unlockthebiblenow
Apr 17
3 min read

By Scott Mitchell | Easter Sunday 2025

Today we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a day filled with hope, but also with deep meaning—especially when we look closely at what Jesus Himself said about His death and resurrection. When asked for a sign, He told the scribes and Pharisees that no sign would be given but that of the prophet Jonah:

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” — Matthew 12:40

That phrase—“the heart of the earth”—has captivated me for years. What did Jesus mean by it? Why that particular wording? As I studied and prayed over this, I began to understand that this wasn’t just a reference to the tomb. It was something deeper—both spiritually and symbolically.

The Sign of Jonah and the Descent of Christ

Jesus was pointing us to a prophetic pattern: Jonah’s experience in the great fish was a shadow of Christ’s own journey. Jonah’s prayer from the depths (Jonah 2) becomes even more significant when we see it as a mirror of Christ’s suffering. Jonah was cast down into the deep, wrapped in seaweed, seemingly abandoned—yet God heard him.

In the same way, Jesus entered the deep—the ἄβυσσος, or bottomless pit. Not just the grave, but the realm of the dead. Scripture supports this: Psalm 16 speaks of God not leaving His soul in hell. Peter quotes this in Acts 2 to affirm that Jesus fulfilled David’s prophecy. And Paul, in Ephesians 4, reminds us that before Christ ascended, He first descended into the lower parts of the earth.

The “Heart” as More Than Location

The Greek word used here for heart is καρδία (kardia). It doesn’t just refer to the physical organ—it represents the center of life: our will, emotions, and spiritual state. The Bible uses “heart” to describe the core of who we are. That’s why I believe there’s more to “the heart of the earth” than geography.

Jesus didn’t just go into the earth—He went into the very depths of human depravity, the consequences of sin, the place of judgment. He took on all of it, willingly, to pay the price for us.

The Heart of the Matter: Ours

Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. That’s not just poetic language—it’s a diagnosis of the human condition. We are, by default, spiritually separated from God. But that’s precisely why Jesus came.

The same Jesus who went into the heart of the earth now seeks to enter our hearts. That’s the mystery and beauty of the gospel. He didn’t just overcome death—He came to bring new life. Hebrews 4 tells us that the Word of God discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. He sees us fully, and still He calls us to Himself.

A Message for Today

Just as Jonah eventually obeyed God's call and brought revival to Nineveh, we too are called to respond. This isn’t about religion or tradition—it’s about surrender. Jesus wants your heart—not just your words or rituals. In Matthew 15, He rebuked those who honored God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him.

So I ask you today: Where is your heart concerning the Lord? Have you allowed Christ to dwell in your heart by faith?

He spent three days and three nights in the heart of the earth to make a way for you to be saved. God raised Him as evidence that your sins can be forgiven. That’s not just a doctrinal statement—that’s an invitation. A relationship with Jesus begins when you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9–10).

A Personal Invitation

If you’ve never trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, I encourage you to do that today. Easter isn’t just about what happened—it’s about what can happen in you. Christ offers redemption, renewal, and eternal life. And the only thing standing in the way… is your heart.

Will you open it to Him?