By Craig Ward
Jonah’s story of being swallowed by a big fish causes many to be skeptical. As a matter of fact, many view his story like they would view the story of Pinocchio or any other fairy tale.
But understand, the amazing events of the Bible are far more than fairy tales. The Bible is truth that can be trusted.
Jesus spoke of this Jonah’s story as a historical fact. He said in Matthew 12:40-41, For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Jesus believed Jonah’s story. So should we.
You may be one of the sceptics. You may have a problem with the whole idea of being swallowed by a fish. Jonah’s story is about so much more than that! The book of Jonah is about God and us, and how God is like toward us.
Jonah was a man given a message from God. Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh (Jonah 1:2), but Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3) All of us are like Jonah!
So often we run from God. We have either run in the past, currently running in the present, and will still have times of running in the future.
Like the ones who were forced to go to church and learn about Jesus when they were younger but have now left all of that Jesus stuff behind them ... or the ones who avoid the major sins like not steal or kill but struggle with the little sins like lust pride, laziness, overeating, and envy . . . or the ones who are who are financially running from God knowing He wouldn’t approve of how their money is spent ... or the ones who are just wasting the time God has given them allowing the Lord’s Day to be a day of ball or the lake or golf and have neglected fellowship, ministry, worship and study with the community of faith ... or the ones who are just playing with their God-given abilities: some can sing, but don’t sing.
Some can teach, but don’t teach. Some can help, but refuse to help.
Indeed, we are all like Jonah. We all have run or are running from God. Jonah teaches us God’s love is ever constant and His will is ultimately accomplished. So, learn from Jonah’s story!
Quit running and allow God to make you into the person He desire for you to be.
Dr. Craig Ward is senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville. Email him at cward@bbcofclarkesville.org.