In this scripture, Jesus himself draws a parallel between his own story and that of the prophet Jonah.   

On a sinking ship, Jonah declares to terrified sailors, “…I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” (Jonah 1: 9 NIV). There is a sense of resignation: an admittance that God is the God of everything – heaven, the sea and the dry land. Why did he ever think he could escape his command by running away. (vv.1-3).

Jonah is asleep in the storm – woken by sailors demanding he does something. Jonah accepts his death will save the lives of the others on the boat –  his sacrificial act, assumed by the sailors to end in the inevitable death of an “innocent man” (v.14), makes atonement, and the storm is calmed.  And then there is the ‘resurrection’ when the fish ‘…vomited Jonah onto dry land.’ (Jonah 2:10). When Christ was woken by the disciples in another life-threatening storm, he showed the same rulership over the waves and the wind using his power to keep others safe. 

There is repentance – on the part of Jonah – and also on the part of the inhabitants of Nineveh. Jonah recognises his own but ironically is resentful of the repentance of the people of the city. There is forgiveness – forgiveness from the one who is the ruler and sustainer of all he creates. Jonah resents the forgiveness extended to these people. He sits outside the city waiting – and maybe hoping – for the promised and expected destruction. He has to be shown that all people are the creation of the God he worships, and a sacrifice greater than his will be their path to repentance, forgiveness, and ultimate salvation. 

Seemingly not seeing the wider picture, Jonah makes powerful reference to this in his heartfelt prayer while imprisoned beneath the waters of the Mediterranean: “…But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ ” (Jonah 2:9). 

The Lord patiently explains to Jonah: “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left…?” Their salvation comes from the Lord (Jonah 4:11).

How did Christ view the people he preached to and healed in his earthly ministry? Much the same way: ‘But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.’ (Matthew 9:36 NKJV) – “…not knowing their right hand from their left.”

Local congregation:
GCI Market Harborough
9 The Point
Rockingham Road
Market Harborough 
LE16 7QU

Meeting time:
Sunday 4.00 pm

Local congregational contact:
Sinead Henderson 
Email: sinead.henderson@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church