Is it Right?

Summary: In this passage, we see the story of Jonah, who, after reluctantly preaching to the people of Nineveh, witnesses their repentance and God's incredible mercy. The text highlights Jonah's struggle with God's forgiveness and his wrong perspective of grace, which reminds us of the human tendency to want to judge rather than forgive.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand the importance of humility and the need to extend grace, rather than holding onto judgments. It encourages believers to reflect on their own lives and identify areas where they may be resisting God's will, especially in how they respond to others who may need forgiveness or grace.

Teaching: Through Jonah's reactions and God's response, this sermon teaches the necessity of humility in our walk with God, reminding us that forgiveness should come from a place of grace rather than superiority. It calls on us to be agents of mercy, showcasing the character of Christ in our interactions with others.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Christ is foreshadowed as the ultimate source of forgiveness and mercy. Just as Jonah was reluctantly sent to save a wayward people, Jesus was sent to redeem humanity. Christ's ministry encapsulates the humble approach we must adopt, serving others rather than seeking to judge and condemn.

Big Idea: The big idea of this sermon is that true forgiveness comes from humility and a recognition of our own need for grace, urging the church to be a beacon of hope and truth in a world that often seeks punishment over restoration.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon using your Logos library, consider exploring the historical context of Nineveh and the cultural implications of forgiveness in both Jonah's time and today. It might be beneficial to look into commentaries that discuss the Hebrew nuances of mercy and judgment in the text. Also, investigate any text-critical issues related to the unique structure of Jonah's narrative to deepen your understanding of how this theme of grace is woven throughout the entire book.

"Forgiveness flounders because I exclude the enemy from the community of humans and myself from the community of sinners." - Miroslav Volf

Opening Scripture:

Jonah 3:1–4:4 NIV

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Parallel to the Parable

Luke 15:11–32 NIV

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

One of the Biggest Errors in Christian Thinking is that God should become violent with Non-Christians…

When God's Mercy Surprises Us

One thing that we must understand is that God called a sinner to bring the message of his grace and mercy to sinners.

Proclaiming Repentance's Power

Jonah 3:1–5 NIV

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

You could emphasize that Jonah's initial reluctance highlights our own hesitance to show mercy. Yet, when Jonah finally preaches to Nineveh, the people respond with immediate repentance. This demonstrates that God's message of grace and forgiveness can have profound effects, even among those we may deem undeserving. Encouraging the congregation to share God's message with humility and without prejudice can lead to unexpected repentance and restoration. It challenges us to overcome our biases, showing how God's mercy can surprise us when we move beyond judgment.

Humility Heralds Mercy

Jonah 3:6–10 NIV

When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Perhaps reflect on how the king of Nineveh's humble response to Jonah's warning exemplifies true repentance. Unlike Jonah, the king didn't hesitate to act upon God's word, leading his people in turning from their sins. This section suggests that humility and recognition of our own need for mercy are crucial in receiving God's forgiveness. You can call the congregation to seek genuine humility, aligning their responses with God's heart of grace, not only for themselves but for all people. This points to our need to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand and His desire for people to turn to Him.

Judging or Joyful Mercy?

Jonah 4:1–4 NIV

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Maybe explore Jonah's displeasure at Nineveh's repentance, revealing his struggle with God's graciousness. It can serve as a mirror for us to examine our attitudes. Jonah's anger stems from his desire for justice over grace, but God challenges him, reminding him of His boundless love and mercy. This invites us to let go of punitive attitudes, opening our hearts to God's surprising mercy. We should consider our responses to others' repentance, aligning more closely with Christ's forgiving nature, who embodies God’s ultimate expression of unexpected mercy and grace.

Paying evil for evil - NO

Deal with your own evil and hate BEFORE you deal with the wrong doer.

Forgiveness is not a substitution for justice.