Are You a Jonah?

How often we watch the news and get so irritated at the people we see who commit crimes or neglect their kids. We really hate those who abuse animals. This week I was in the Book of Jonah. Finishing up today I couldn’t help but see myself within those pages. No I’ve never been swallowed by a giant fish. But I’m pretty sure I’ve been given similar orders from God, which is written in His Holy Word. My pastor constantly reminds us of the Great Commission.  In case you’ve forgotten here is the command right from the mouth of Jesus.

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Maybe you’ve forgotten the story of Jonah. If you just think it’s a silly story about a guy who spends 3 days inside the belly of a fish then you are missing God’s point. The story is about a man who is called by God to go and preach to the Ninevites.  These people were the scum of the earth and Jonah did not want to go. He didn’t want them saved. Running from God is a bad idea. You can’t do it. So God brought the proverbial fear of God to him. He finally went and preached the message. But then he was ticked because they all repented as a result.

So I ask you today; do you look at the modern day equivalent of a Ninevite with disdain and as you see them arrested say, “Good. They got what’s coming to them.”?  If we call ourselves Christians and do that then we are in a bad place. I suggest you take a little time tonight before you read the paper or watch the news and read over Jonah in your Bible. Read a little of the Gospel of Matthew around chapter 28. Then get on your knees and ask God to reveal the truth about how it is He wants you to feel about the lost, about that Muslim co-worker, the neighbor’s kid who uses drugs, your alcoholic uncle, and yes, even the child molester you see at Wal-Mart.

We have a decision to make. Are we going to follow Jesus or are we going to follow Jonah and sail away from the lost and broken people of this world? Be careful when you answer that question. The answer has eternal consequences.