Modern tale of Jonah
Jonah hated Mall Mart World. It was the biggest company in the city, and it was putting all of the smaller company’s out of business. When his mother died, that was the only place she could get a job. His mother liked standing at the door greeting people, but Jonah hated the fact that she had to work there. They were a cruel company. They refused to give their workers a living wage, refused to give them benefits. They were the biggest polluter in the community. To him they were just a big nuisance overall. He wished something would happen that would drive them out of business. One day while walking down the street – he noticed a billboard – which said Jonah – go into Mall Mart World and save my people. Was this a figment of his imagination – or a message from God. Why would he want to go into Mall Mart World and save them – he secretly hoped they would be driven off of the face of the earth. He dismissed the message all together.
The next day – he was riding on his motorcycle, when all of a sudden a giant blue tarp fell off of a semi in front of him – swallowing him and his motorcycle. Inside of the bubble – he could read the writing on the inside of the tarp – go into Mall Mart World and save my people. Of course he dismissed this message again. Even though he knew it was a message from God. Just as soon as the blue tarp engulfed him, it opened and let him go on. Inspite of his better judgement he drove straight to Mall Mart World. Even if I obey God and tell them to change their ways – I know they wont listen. Jonah needed to complete his task. His mom was there to greet him as he entered the door – but she assumed that he was there just to shop for a birthday present for his wife. He went in, grabbed the loudspeaker and starting speaking – Mall Mart World – you have 44 minutes to change you ways. The customers all stopped and listened. As he talked of the sins of he store – they all agreed. They walked to the door and agreed they would not shop there anymore until things changed. Jonah was furious, it was not the shoppers he wanted to change – it was the owners. It turned out that members of the Walton family were there in the store – they heard him. Boardmembers were there, they heard. Managers were having a meeting and they too heard. They went to Jonah as said that all he said about them was true. They would change their ways and become a socially conscious store who cared about their employees and their community. You would think Jonah would be happy – he was furious. How dare such a sinful people repent and change their ways. What did that mean for good Christian like him? Jonah went home defeated, yet obedient.
We can apply this to many situations
This is a very familiar story. Could not just be about Walmart, could be about New York, Gotham City, Washington DC, Chicago, any big city or company that has gotten so big that it has become out of control in its morals.
The familiar tale of Jonah and the whale
The story of Jonah and the whale is one of the most familiar stories in the bible. We all learned it in Sunday school. It is a humorous story of what it means to listen to God, to be told to do something and to be hesitant about what we are being told, even when we know that there is nothing we can do to stop God’s will.
Shows us that not everything has to be serious
The story of Jonah and the whale is funny story – which shows us that not everything in the bible is so serious. Can also be fun and lighthearted. Jonah never even mentions the name of God until the end.
Life shows that God has real sense of humor
God can be lightherted and fun, not all of God’s rules have to be painful. I think the story teaches us that God has much of a sense of humor than any of us. When you pay attention to life, even the events of your own life, you can always see proof of God’s sense of humor.
Also shows that human nature does not change
Story also teaches us that human nature does not change. There is a portion of Jonah in all of us.
Jonah represents the idea of being a part of the in crowd of being special. Jonah was an isrealite, who believed they were God’s chosen people. He wanted to prove that their destiny was not determined by others, but only by helping themselves. If they were God’s special people and they accomplished all they needed on their own – what did that mean for everyone else. In Jonah’s mind it meant they deserved to be punished by others. They deserved to be destroyed by God.
Which also leads us to thinking that others are not special.
Insiders/ outsiders Those who are right, so there must be others who are wrong. If God was for the isrealites then surely, he must be against everyone else.
God wants us to know that we are all children of God and God wants to save us all – not just some of us.
And yet God is speaking directly to Jonah, telling him that is not the case. God is a God of all children. No matter what. The ninevites were the others, who just needed to hear God’s word in the same way God’s chosen had already heard. They were chosen not because they are special, but because it is their job to pass the message on to others who don’t know.
Who are the ninevites of the day?
History says that the ninevites were Assyrians. Their land was in what is now Northern Iraq. They were pagans, who had their own way of life. The bible story says that it took three days to walk across ninevah. In actuality, the land was probably about a mile and a half wide. But the countryside of people who supported the city, could have been much bigger. Being pagans, they would not have heard of Isreal’s God. But when they heard – they listened they believed, and they repented. They were willing to be change. I guess the question for us is who are the ninevites of today? Who are the people who are going about their business, not thinking of God, because they have never heard of God. Who are the people who might be willing to change – if just given a chance. I would think there are ninevites, the unchurched all around us –in the neighborhood, our jobs, our clubs. Everywhere.
Jonah’s sermon to them
When Jonah speaks to them – he gives one of the worlds shortest sermons – Forty Days more and Ninevah shall be overthrown. That was his message – not very encouraging
Their response
And yet they did respond
Repentance
Jonah’s preaching was a lot like the preaching of John the Baptist. All he is asking people to do is to be sorry for what they have done. To repent and admit they have been living wrong.
But Jesus comes to do more.
Jesus’ sermon
The book of Mark also contains a one sentence sermon to those who are listening. Jesus says the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe the good news.
How is Jesus different?
Jesus also preaches about repentence, but Jesus also preaches about redemption. To repent and turn from our evil ways – but to also know that God loves you, so God has come to save you and your life.
Jesus determination that change is for all people, not just for some.
Now is the time
We are the people
Jonah was reluctant, Disciples were immediate, what do we do when we are asked to follow Jesus?
Midrashim of Abraham
Last week I attended a dinner sponsored by the Niagara Foundation. A foundation determined to bring people of different religions together in dialogue to determine their differences. This was a dinner of the abrahamic religions, the people of the book – Jews, Christians and Muslims. A leader from each spoke. The rabbi told a story of Abraham – a midrashim – a expansion of the biblical story. Abraham did not like to eat without a guest at his table. One day when he had not visitor, he went out through the countryside searching for someone. He finally found an old man and invited him to his table. On the way home he decided that this man had no religion. He really hated eating alone, but he hated eating with a nonbeliever even more. Before he opened his mouth and sent the man home, the angels spoke to him. And said Abraham we have tolerated this man’s unbelief for 70 years, surely you can tolerate him for 70 minutes. Abraham understood, and was intentional about sending him God’s love.
Who do we need to tolerate?
End of the story – God changes God mind
The moral of the story is that prayer changes things
Situations, people, lives. God longs to be in relationship, wants us to speak of our lives, wants us to stand up against our destiny – and know that God cares enough to change God’s mind.
If God can save a sinless nondeserving people like Ninevah, like the owners of Walmart, surely God can save us and those whom we pray for. Amen.
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