Pastor’s message
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them, and he did not do it. But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. And the LORD said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, waiting to see what would become of the city. And should I (the Lord) not have compassion towards Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left and also many animals?”
- Jonah 3:10-4:01, 4:4-5, 11 (NRSVUE)
There are so much humor and entertainment in the book of Jonah, if we really pay attention and there is an important point to the book, as well. Jonah is a reluctant prophet and when God calls him, Jonah runs in the opposite direction. But God does not give up on him and goes to great lengths for this prophet because Jonah has
an important call on his life. A whale swallows Jonah and he almost dies on a ship caught in a storm. It is only then that Jonah yields to the call on his life to preach a sermon to his enemies, which are the enemies of Israel. Jonah preaches a short sermon of five words and the Ninevites repent or turn back to God. They are so sorry that they even dress their animals in sackcloth—which is a sign of regret and sorrow. (Dressing the animals in sackcloth is also meant to be funny!) Is not that what we all want as preachers? That people will turn back to God? Not Jonah, he goes off by himself and pouts because God has shown mercy to his enemies instead of destroying them. Jonah does not think that the Ninevites are worthy of God’s grace and takes offence at God’s mercy. Who have you judged as unworthy of God’s grace? Is it someone who has wronged you? Is it someone that you feels is beyond the grace of God? In reality, we are all in need of God’s grace and mercy. We all sin against God and against each other. We make mistakes in this world. But God keeps calling us back to turn from our ways of hurting each other in this world. God loves God’s creation. God calls us to turn our hearts towards God’s grace and compassion rather than judging someone as unworthy of God’s love and mercy.
Dear Lord, we thank you that you show mercy and have compassion on all of us. Help us turn to you and follow your ways. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.