What Do You Care?

Dear Faith Family,

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and call out against it the message that I tell you. So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord, (Jonah 3:1-3).

The question gave rise to an opportunity. This son of a philosophy professor was afforded a golden opportunity to respond with sophomoric (go ahead, look up the meaning to that word) intellect. The question from my mother? Do you want to take out the trash? My teenager response? Do I want to (emphasis on the word want)? Wasn’t that a clever response?! A question for a question. To which my in earshot father responded with a question of his own. Keep in mind that he was no longer a sophomore!

His question? Do you want to suffer the consequences if you don’t take out the trash? Suddenly I had a strong urge to take out the trash! Jonah, after chapters one and two, had a strong urge to catch a ride to Nineveh. Imagine that!

Unfortunately, Jonah packed his wise foolishness and carried it with him. His obedience in round two led to a major turn of events in the city of Nineveh. The people believed God and mourned their own sin. God poured out His mercy and grace. He spared the city. And Jonah was ticked. Wait?! Ticked?! Jonah 4:1 says that Jonah was displeased exceedingly and he was angry!

Apparently, he didn’t want God to extend anything but His well-deserved wrath. Jonah’s nightmare became a reality. God extended mercy and grace. And Jonah liked that not a little bit!

Fast forward a few verses and we discover that Jonah was exceedingly glad, Jonah 4:6. What a contrast. So, he got over his condescending, judgmental heart and delighted in the revival that was happening in Nineveh. OK, that didn’t happen! What then made Jonah exceedingly glad? A plant. Yes, you read that right. A plant. One that grew up and provided some sunscreen. Until it didn’t! And off we go back into the land of misfit anger!

What we’re seeing in the book of Jonah is the heart of Jonah in contrast to the heart of God. Jonah didn’t seem to understand that he was no more deserving of God’s favor the city slickers of Nineveh (and they were some not nice people!). Jonah’s wasn’t a problem of behavior. Even after he did the right thing (went to Nineveh rather than a second fishing expedition) he was displeased exceedingly. His heart needed reconditioning.

So, what now? A couple of thoughts?

One: recognize that the grace and mercy of God is undeserved. All His grace and mercy to all His people – all undeserved. None of us deserve His favor – not even Jonah. Gratitude is an exercise in the development of humility helping us to recognize that the grace and mercy of God is undeserved (even sunscreen!).

Two: recognize that the heart of God is undeterred. When bad people live and good plants die – even then is God graciously undeterred. How amazing is our God that He extended grace to a city full of reprobates through another one of His reprobates! Jonah was at the same time a receiver and a giver of the grace of God! God will continue to carry out the desire of His heart. Why not join Him?

Giving thanks,

Pastor Karl

*ps – who are the “Ninevites” in your life to whom God desires to extend His grace through you? Go ahead, ask Him!