God's Reckless Pursuit

Do you have a favorite day of the week? For myself, it’s definitely without a doubt Friday’s. Not because Fridays are closer to the weekend, but because it’s the only day I don’t have to rush out the door and be somewhere. Usually, I can sleep in and then focus on my two morning responsibilities which are taking out the trash to the road and cleaning up the house. Typically, Friday’s are problem free.

And if I ever stumbled into a magical bottle, I would wish for every everyday to be like my Fridays. In result of my wish being granted, the world would trouble free zone. No pain, no worries, no fear. Now can you imagine your life without any complications or setbacks? Even conceptualizing life without struggles and problems seems nearly impossible for all of us. It truly wouldn’t be living on earth anymore, it would be glimpse of heaven.

Dealing with troubles and problems isn’t anything normal to us. It’s a daily battle that we all go through. As a husband and father, when my household is going sour, rather than dealing with the brokenness or mess in my home, my selfishness spirit would rather run for myself to runaway from my issues.

And I don’t believe I’m alone in these in response to trouble, because the majority us of us given the choice would choose to flee the scene of trouble rather or confronting it head on. We of course would prefer the easy road, and let our problems slide on by and head a new route. We believe running away from our life problems will bring about peace.

In the Japanese culture, if an employee has a issue with a co-worker, rather than going to them and talking it over, they will tend to talk behind their backs to their boss, because they are not looking for a fight or disagreement, in the same way. We too tend to flee from our problems which can leave to serious consequences if left unsolved such as leaving our marriages in shambles, leaving our children in a unhealthy situation, turn our workplace into a mess, and possibly hurt our relationship within our church family.

Not only running away from our problems is an bad idea, it normally results in big trouble for you and me. Last week, we spoke about the a man called Jonah, who was a prophet of the God, had an idea to escape from God’s mission by fleeing from presence of the Lord by taking a ship heading to Tarshish. Jonah loved himself and his nation more than his enemies and God’s will, so rather than facing his object and challenge. Jonah ran from his problem as far is it would sail him. Which takes us to the book of Jonah starting in verse four, after his departure from the city of Joppa in hope of finding peace from fleeing his troubles.

Jonah 1:4–6 ESV

4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”

Jonah 1:4-

Not only running away from our problems is an bad idea, it normally results in big trouble for you and me. Last week, we spoke about the a man called Jonah, who was a prophet of the God, had an idea to escape from God’s mission by fleeing from presence of the Lord by taking a ship heading to Tarshish. Jonah loved himself and his nation more than his enemies and God’s will, so rather than facing his object and challenge. Jonah ran from his problem as far is it would sail him. Which takes us to the book of Jonah starting in verse four, after his departure from the city of Joppa.

Jonah in God’s Storm

In God’s disappointment of Jonah recent decision of turning his back from God. The Lord hurls a gigantic storm at the mariners just as you would throw a bowling ball down to take down all the pins. Yahweh is aiming for a gutter, but a strike to take down their ship and in hope of showing Jonah and the mariners of who’s in control.

After the ships is threaten of falling apart, the mariners go into full panic mode, they believed they were going to die. You probably remember a moment when thought, there is no way I am making through this event. If these sailors were Phoenicians, then the storm must have been terrible indeed. The Phoenicians were legendary for their seamanship and navigating skills. It wasn’t a laughing matter because you see how they responded in the situation.

f these sailors were Phoenicians, then the storm must have been terrible indeed. The Phoenicians were legendary for their seamanship and navigating skills.

They dealt with the problems the best they could. They unloaded the ship in hope of gaining control and began praying to their Gods. But while this was all happening, Jonah is sound asleep inside the inner part of the ship.

And with all the knowledge of the mariners, they still were unable to gain control of their ships, so the captain went down into the lower deck and pleaded with Jonah for him to pray to his God. In hope, they would not perish.

Trust God for he knows what you need.

Sacrifice your life to receive peace.

This story really ties into time when Jesus and the disciples were cross the sea of Galilee in the gospel of Luke it says,

Luke 8:22–24 ESV

22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.

Luke 8:22-

Just like the mariners, the disciples were trained fishermen and endure storms out on the lake. Jesus like Jonah was sleeping during the midst of the storm and when they ran out of ideas they woke Jesus up in hope of finding salvation. All of them desired life, and in the midst of the storm they need peace.

Which when you go back to Jonah, we don’t even see his speaking to God after he receives the instruction to pray. I guess if you are running away from God, why would you call out to him and let him find you?

Which after the captains ordeal with Jonah, the rest of the crew gathers together to figure out how to save their lives.

Jonah 1:7–11 ESV

7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. 11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous.

Jonah 1:7–10 ESV

7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.

Jonah 1:

Jonah

Jonah’s Allegiance and Confession

Through casting the lots, they discovered Jonah was the root of the problem. The reason why their lives were in jeopardy. After figuring that out they came at him like sharks in the water and demanded answers. Jonah explains explains his identity.

Ironically he tells them about his God. The God of the Hebrews - foreigner because of the exile of the Jews and his God is the god who made everything, the sea and dry land.

Don’t you think Jonah should of knew better than to run away from God? If he can make all the matter in the universe, he most certainly can tract Jonah down.

Don’t you think Jonah should of knew better than to run away from God? If he can make all the matter in the universe, he most certainly can tract Jonah down.

Knowing Jonah was the reason for the season. The mariners and starting question him for a solution.

Jonah 1:11-

Jonah 1:11–12 ESV

11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.”

Understanding Jonah’s predicament, do you ever remember a time taking the blame for something you done wrong? Knew you were wrong and the problem was caused by you. That would make feel horrible on the inside. Just like in this event, Jonah knows that everything happening is his fault, all because he decided to run away from his problem and fear of God saving the lives of his enemies through his preaching.

But rather than offering the good resolution, Jonah just absorb his guilt and wanted die. He doesn’t want God to pursue him any longer. His perspective is so focused on himself, that he rather be tossed into the sea than go where God desires him. Even in the midst of the storm, Jonah is refusing to submit to God's plans. He knows he is the issue, but rather than turning and offering himself to God. He wishes to offer himself to death.

The mariners are going to think Jonah is crazy and go back to a find a sane solution and get back to rowing the boat.

Jonah 1:13–16 ESV

13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.

Jonah 1:13-1

God’s relentless power keep the storm up, until the mariners came to the only conclusion that would save their lives. We have to offer up Jonah into the rushing sea. Could you picture Jonah’s face as they grabbed him and threw him overboard?

The most impressive part of the story is once they gave up Jonah, peace filled the skies. Light shined upon the waters, the waves became still. Just like Christ calmed the storm once he opened his lips. Jonah gave up his life, and God calmed the storm.

Luke 8:25 ESV

25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

Luke 8:24 ESV

24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.

And in celebration of overcoming their storm the mariners gave glory to God and made vows.

But the interesting point is both Jonah and Jesus are sacrificed on behalf of others and in when they do we see peace in the amid the trouble.

In this story God used all his power to chase down Jonah

Jonah and Jesus offered their lives to provide peace.

Similarly both figures of offered up by other people groups. Jonah is offered to the raging sea by the mariners in hope of saving their lives and in the same way, Jesus is offered to the old rugged cross by the Jews in hope of saving their tradition and Jewish identity which in result of both of their sacrifices brings peace.

Jonah’s sacrifice caused God to relent from the storm. He was thrown into the shadow darkness of the sea and after that came peace for the mariners. We see a similar situation play out at the crucifixion of Christ.

Both are handed over to death for the sakes of others.

Through their sacrifice of their lives, both bring about peace - the destruction of the waters ceases and the Hades is subdued by the Christ. Both remain for three days and three nights but eventually are taken out and are victorious over the grave.

Mark 15:33–39 ESV

33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Mark 15:33-

After the crucifixion, the darkness receded, the temple curtains were ripped open and the earthquake stopped. In doing so, peace has given to humanity through the sacrifice of Christ and death of Christ. Both experience the same fate, in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights, after Jonah was thrown and sacrificed to the sea, God saved him and the text says.

Jonah 1:17 ESV

17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Which the good news is Jesus didn’t stay death, but came out alive and Jonah was rescued too from the great fish. But what can we learn today from Jonah and Jesus. We were talking earlier that in life, we try to escape our problems, fears, and conflicts. We try to desperately to runaway from it as possible until eventually we get eaten up by great fish of stress.

God does not want to live in life full of anxiety, fear, or problems, but wants us to be filled with his peace. But we can only find that peace when we follow the example of Jesus and Jonah which is to do this.

In the pursuit of peace, I must offer my life to God.

Trust God for he knows what you need.

The Jews offer up Jesus to the cross. Peace occured after both were given up.

Sacrifice your life to receive peace.

Jonah agree to hand his life over and Jesus did too. Both found peace and their sacrifice extended to those around them. If I want a healthy marriage, loving family, a functional workplace, a strong church family, I first of all need to surrender everything to God. For he is the only person who is going to give me peace and help you overcome your adversity.

That happens when we give God control of our schedule, finances, relationships, and priorities. When you offer yourself to God, you will have peace.

The days, you feel like you can escape your pain

When I run away, God will be there.

Trust God for he knows what you need.

Sacrifice your life to receive peace.

If we do this as a church, offer our lives daily for his kingdom we will truly make a difference in Ubly, but even in our own lives. So at the end of the day. In the pursuit of peace, I must offer my life to God.