The Making of a Witness

The book of Jonah has three major purposes:

1. It shows us how God pursues sinners -- of which I am the greatest
2. It contrasts God's heart for people who are far from Him, and ours
3. It shows how God uses His people for His purposes, even when they are stubborn and rebellious. 

In Jonah 3, we are given three truths that really drive home the point of what it takes for us to be a part of God's salvation plan.

Jonah 3:1–2 (ESV) -- "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ² “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”

The Lord comes to Jonah a second time and tells him a second time to go to Nineveh and deliver the message that he is going to give him. When I look at my life and I see all the times that I have disobeyed God, I am thankful that God gives us second chances. Unlike the first time, Jonah gets up and heads to Nineveh to obey the Lord.  

Jonah 3:3–4 (ESV) -- "Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. ⁴ Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!'”

The phrase "an exceedingly great city" in Hebrew is literally translated, "a city great to God." I know that the main point of this statement is to emphasize the physical size of the city, but I cannot help but think it also a reminder that the city of Nineveh was deeply loved by God. I'm not sure we'll ever be true witnesses of God until we see that the place that we live is deeply loved by God.

In verse 4, Jonah delivers an eight word sermon. It is a message of judgment that contains no explanation of why judgment is coming and there is no opportunity given to turn to God. But in verses 5-8, we find the Ninevites believing God, humbling themselves in His presence and turning from their evil ways. In verse 10 we are told "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it" (ESV).

Don't miss this point: God doesn't delight in judgment, but He overflows in mercy. The Ninevites deserved God's wrath, and yet in love we find Him sending His prophet and when the people repent, God shows them mercy. 

We find this same thing in the book of Joel, when the prophet declares to the people, "Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster" Joel 2:13 (ESV).

As those who have experienced God's mercy and His grace, how should we respond?

1. We need to take every opportunity to make much of Jesus to a world that is walking in darkness.
2. We should pray like crazy for those who are far from God. 

I want to encourage you to think about this question: If God were to answer all of the prayers that you have prayed over the last seven days in a moment, would anyone new be added to the Kingdom of God? If your answer is NO, then you are faced with the question, Do you really understand the Gospel?