Pastor's Corner: Jonah and you

(Read the Book of Jonah)

Sin runs rampant in society - daily headlines and overflowing prisons bear dramatic witness to that fact. With child abuse, pornography, serial killers, mass shooters, terrorism, hate groups, racial hatred, extremist groups, corrupt elected leadership, poor leadership, anarchy, and ruthless dictatorships, you add to the list, the world seems to be filled to overflowing with violence, hatred and corruption. Reading, hearing and perhaps even experiencing these tragedies, we begin to understand the necessity of God's judgement. We may even find ourselves wishing for vengeance by any means upon the violent perpetrators. Surely, they are beyond redemption! But suppose that in the midst of such thoughts, God told you to take the gospel to the worst of the offenders? How would you respond?

Jonah was given such a task. Assyria - a great but evil empire - was Israel's most dreaded enemy. The Assyrians flaunted their power before God and the world through numerous acts of heartless cruelty. So when Jonah heard God tell him to go to Assyria and call the people to repentance, he ran in the opposite direction.

The book of Jonah tells the story of this prophet's flight and how God stopped him and turned him around. But it is much more than a story of a man and a great fish - Jonah's story is a profound illustration of God's mercy and grace. No one deserved God's favor less than the people of Nineveh, Assyria's capital. Jonah knew this. But he knew that God would forgive and bless them if they would turn from their sin and worship him.

Jonah also knew the power of God's message, that even through his own weak preaching, they would respond and be spared God's judgement. But Jonah hated the Assyrians, and he wanted vengeance, not mercy. So, he ran. How about you? What would you do? Who do you hate? What are you running from? Eventually, Jonah obeyed and preached in the streets of Nineveh, and the people repented and were delivered from judgement. Then Jonah sulked and complained to God, "I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, A God who relents from sending calamity" (4:2). In the end, God confronted Jonah about his self-centered values and lack of compassion, saying "But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city? (4:11).

As you read Jonah, see the full picture of God's love and compassion and realize that no one is beyond redemption. The gospel is for all who will repent and believe. Begin to pray for those who seem to be the furthest from the kingdom; and look for ways to tell them about God. Learn from the story of this reluctant prophet and determine to obey God, doing whatever he asks and going wherever he leads.

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Pastor Michael O'Hearn

Hi-Line Lutheran Churches