Pastor column: The Sign of Jonah Rev. Cliff Sanders of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Not far from where I live is a whimsical sign. Suspended from a giant replica of a rod and reel is a life-sized cutout of a large fish with the inscription “Tall Tales Bait Shop”. Many fisherman have tall tales of a big fish. But the amazing story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish is no tall tale. It is the gospel truth. The greatest authority of all, Jesus Christ, himself referred to Jonah and the great fish and said it was a sign that Jesus is the Messiah.